Posted on 06/29/2023 9:50:10 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
While mitochondria play a crucial role in producing the energy our cells need to carry out their various functions, when damaged, they can have profound effects on cellular function and contribute to the development of various diseases.
Broken-down mitochondria are usually removed and recycled through a garbage disposal process known as "mitophagy."
PINK1 and Parkin are two proteins vital to this process, responsible for "tagging" malfunctioning mitochondria for destruction. In Parkinson's disease, mutations in these proteins can result in the accumulation of damaged mitochondria in the brain, which can lead to motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and difficulty with movement.
The new research solves a mystery about how the protein Optineurin recognizes unhealthy mitochondria tagged by PINK1 and Parkin, enabling their delivery to our body's garbage disposal system.
"While there are many proteins that link damaged cellular materials to the garbage disposal machinery, we found that Optineurin does this in a highly unconventional way that is unlike anything else we've seen from similar proteins. This finding is significant because the human brain relies on Optineurin to degrade its mitochondria through the garbage disposal system driven by PINK1 and Parkin.
PINK1 acts as a "watch-house" inside the mitochondria, responsible for monitoring their health. When it detects problems, it activates Parkin, which tags damaged mitochondria for removal. They work together to instruct our body to generate cellular "garbage bags" around broken-down mitochondria and enlist the help of Optineurin to initiate this process.
"The ultimate goal would be to find a way to boost levels of PINK1/Parkin mitophagy in the body—especially the brain—so that damaged mitochondria can be removed more effectively. We also hope to design a molecule that could mimic what Optineurin does, so damaged mitochondria could be removed even without PINK1 or Parkin.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It is available from Nestle’s Celltrient division and from Timeline Nutrition.
“We showed that UA increases mitophagy flux and activates PINK1‐Parkin mitophagy pathway in both cell types. It also provides evidence that mitophagy activation is associated with better mitochondrial respiration, a key feature to support cellular function.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9381911/
Urolithin A ameliorates obesity-induced metabolic cardiomyopathy in mice via mitophagy activation
“Furthermore, UA administration rescued PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy and relieved mitochondrial defects in the heart of obese mice, which led to improving cardiac diastolic function…”
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41401-022-00919-1
Urolithin A Attenuates Hyperuricemic Nephropathy in Fructose-Fed Mice by Impairing STING-NLRP3 Axis-Mediated Inflammatory Response via Restoration of Parkin-Dependent Mitophagy
“Notably, UroA exhibited a scavenging effect against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restored fructose-impaired PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in nephropathic mice.”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.907209/full
Journal of Functional Foods
Volume 45, June 2018, Pages 95-99
Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum INIA P815:
The first bacterium able to produce urolithins A and B from ellagic acid
Highlights:
► Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 is isolated from breast-fed infants.
► B. pseudocatenulatum G4 decreases cardiovascular risks.
► B. pseudocatenulatum G4 increases high density lipoprotein cholesterol.
► B. pseudocatenulatum G4 increases the excretion of bile acids.
so it looks like you either take urulithin a or Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum which makes the urulithin a.
which is cheaper?
Thank you.
Ckilmer, just but Urolithin A. I've posted about that, before.
That is, “just buy…”
Do you know the strength of the Urolithin A to be taken?
A dear family member is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He seems to be getting worse very quickly. DX 3 years ago at age 60.
There is nothing stating what dose is needed for the disease; however, doses to 1,000 mg a day are approved for normal use, and I’ve taken that amount for several months, with zero issues.
The normal dose is 500 mg.
It is available. I’ll post a link when I return home. There are about 50 different bifidobacterium strains and it was a bit hard to find.
I also read articles on what foods provide it.
My reason for posting it is that I would sooner resolve the root problem in the body than take supplements and/or medicines.
In this case the correct gut biom has shown to correct IBS, increase good cholesterol, increase bile secretions, and resolve other stomach disorders.
Thank you for posting all these excellent articles.
🙏
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