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The Role of Hormones and Nutrients in Health and Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 1610

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: cellular stress response; redox homeostasis; aging; neuroprotection; hormesis; nutritional antioxidants; mitochondrial medicine; brain resilience
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interplay of sensory nutrients and steroid hormones has gained considerable attention for enhancing stress resilience in health and disease. Sensory nutrients, including polyphenols and the more bioavailable polyphenol-combined nanoparticles, but also vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to improve blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, steroid homeostasis, and brain function, thus inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation linked to the pathogenesis of nervous system disorders. Interestingly, polyphenols display biphasic dose–response effects by activating at the minimum dose the Nrf2 pathway and the downstream antioxidant proteins, heme oxygenase-1 upregulated by curcumin, and sirtuin-1 activated by resveratrol to block reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and neural toxicity. Impaired Nrf2 and steroid hormone signaling in the brain may exacerbate selective susceptibility under neuroinflammatory conditions to the onset and progression of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and other neurological disorders due to the vulnerability of neurons to oxidative stress. The proposal of this Special Issue is to collect original research and review articles focused on sensory nutrients targeting the Nrf2 pathway to regulate steroid hormones and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms using innovative in vitro and in vivo technologies for the development of promising neuroprotective strategies and precise as well as personalized nutritional therapies in order to prevent or attenuate oxidative stress, inflammation, and consequently promote brain health.

Dr. Maria Scuto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sensory nutrients
  • steroid hormones
  • oxidative stress
  • inflammation
  • Nrf2 pathway
  • neurodegenerative disorders
  • psychiatric diseases
  • personalized nutritional therapy
  • organoid technology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1362 KiB  
Article
Impact of Dietary Patterns and Serum Amino Acid Profile on Metabolic Syndrome Development in Mexican Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
by Midory Sánchez Rentería, Jorge Arturo Parra Montoya, Geraldine Sosa Romero, Lizbeth de Jesús González Piñuelas, Adriana M. López-Barradas, Omar Granados-Portillo, Mariel García Chagollán, Ana Laura Pereira Suárez, Patrick M. Gillevet, Natali Vega Magaña and Marcela Peña Rodríguez
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11821; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111821 - 4 Nov 2024
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Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the main endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age worldwide. This condition is often associated with various metabolic alterations that contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Recent research suggests that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) dysregulation is [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the main endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age worldwide. This condition is often associated with various metabolic alterations that contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Recent research suggests that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) dysregulation is observed in PCOS. This study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns, body composition, metabolic analytes, and serum amino acid levels in Mexican women with PCOS. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, we found that both study groups, PCOS (n = 24) and PCOS + MetS (n = 21), exhibited increased relative fat mass and dietary habits characterized by high simple sugar intake and low protein consumption, correlating with levels of relative fat mass and leptin. Notably, serum concentrations of BCAAs and glutamic acid were significantly elevated in the PCOS + MetS group. Our findings suggest that a metabolic approach may enhance the prediction and management of MetS in women with PCOS, highlighting the importance of dietary interventions in this population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Hormones and Nutrients in Health and Disease)
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Review

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45 pages, 2120 KiB  
Review
Functional Food Nutrients, Redox Resilience Signaling and Neurosteroids for Brain Health
by Maria Scuto, Miroslava Majzúnová, Gessica Torcitto, Silvia Antonuzzo, Francesco Rampulla, Eleonora Di Fatta and Angela Trovato Salinaro
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12155; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212155 - 12 Nov 2024
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Abstract
The interplay between functional food nutrients and neurosteroids has garnered significant attention for its potential to enhance stress resilience in health and/or disease. Several bioactive nutrients, including medicinal herbs, flavonoids, and bioavailable polyphenol-combined nanoparticles, as well as probiotics, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty [...] Read more.
The interplay between functional food nutrients and neurosteroids has garnered significant attention for its potential to enhance stress resilience in health and/or disease. Several bioactive nutrients, including medicinal herbs, flavonoids, and bioavailable polyphenol-combined nanoparticles, as well as probiotics, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to improve blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, endogenous neurosteroid homeostasis and brain function. These nutrients can inhibit oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which are linked to the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. Interestingly, flavonoids exhibit dose-dependent effects, activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway at the physiological/low dose (neurohormesis). This leads to the upregulation of antioxidant phase II genes and proteins such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and sirtuin-1 (Sirt1), which are activated by curcumin and resveratrol, respectively. These adaptive neuronal response mechanisms help protect against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neurotoxicity. Impaired Nrf2 and neurosteroid hormone signaling in the brain can exacerbate selective vulnerability to neuroinflammatory conditions, contributing to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety and depression and other neurological disorders, due to the vulnerability of neurons to stress. This review focuses on functional food nutrients targeting Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and redox resilience genes to regulate the neurosteroid homeostasis and BBB damage associated with altered GABAergic neurotransmission. By exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms using innovative technologies, we aim to develop promising neuroprotective strategies and personalized nutritional and neuroregenerative therapies to prevent or attenuate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, ultimately promoting brain health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Hormones and Nutrients in Health and Disease)
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