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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...

Urolithin A, a metabolite of ellagitannins in pomegranates, boosts immune cells’ ability to combat tumors by inducing a process known as mitophagy. STORY AT-A-GLANCE Urolithin A (UA) has emerged as a powerhouse player in the fight against cancer, as it may naturally boost tumor-fighting immune cells. UA is a metabolite of ellagitannins in pomegranates that has anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. UA “recycles and renews mitochondria” by inducing a biological pathway known as mitophagy—the process of cleaning out your mitochondria, allowing them to function at their best. This changes T cells’ genetic program, making them more able to fight tumors. In...

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas often associated with long-term alcohol consumption. Recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis results in chronic pancreatitis, causing weight loss, pain, diabetes, and even pancreatic cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with 40–70% of pancreatitis cases. With repeated episodes of binge drinking the pancreas eventually builds up scar tissues with persistent inflammation, weakening its endocrine and exocrine functions needed to digest food and regulate blood sugar levels. This chronic insult to the organ can cause excruciating pain, malnutrition, diabetes, and death. Accumulating scientific evidence suggests that continued alcohol consumption with established alcoholic pancreatitis instigates irreversible pancreatic...

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best overall index of kidney function. Normal GFR varies according to age, sex, and body size, and declines with age. The National Kidney Foundation recommends using the CKD-EPI Creatinine Equation (2021) to estimate GFR. NKF and the American Society of Nephrology have convened a Task Force to focus on the use of race to estimate GFR.

Age-associated muscle decline can start as early as 40 years old and there are currently no effective interventions to counteract it other than exercise. A new milestone study showed that daily intake of Amazentis' proprietary Urolithin A, Mitopure, significantly improved muscle strength by 12% after four months. These findings further validate Mitopure's benefits for muscle and mitochondrial health and show it is safe and well tolerated. Mitopure works by supporting the cells' ability to renew their powerplants, the mitochondria, during the aging process. Muscles have a high demand for energy and there are a very large number of mitochondria in...

Major depression in older adults is very common, disabling, and increases the risk of many diseases of aging, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, cardiovascular issues and even mortality. Many older adults with depression do not experience full resolution of their depressive symptoms with antidepressant treatment. Improving or achieving full resolution of depression in older adults is a major clinical challenge, and approximately 50% of patients experience persistent depressive symptoms after antidepressant treatment. The persistence of depressive symptoms becomes a source of depleted psychological well-being, increased disability, accelerated cognitive decline, and premature aging in older adults. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms...

A drug typically used to treat enlarged prostates and high blood pressure has shown promise as a potential new therapy for motor neuron disease (MND)—also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—according to a new study. MND is a group of rare diseases that destroy nerve cells known as motor neurons, causing patients to slowly lose function of their muscles. In studies using zebrafish, mice and stem cell models, experts have demonstrated that the drug terazosin protects against the death of motor neurons by increasing their energy production. Researchers say the drug could help to slow the progression of a disease...

In mice, inflammation in early to mid-life leads to a permanent decline in functional blood stem cells. The ability of the blood stem cells to regenerate was suppressed for at least one year after challenge with inflammation, suggesting that infection and inflammation may act as a prominent driver of age-associated functional decline in tissues. Blood stem cells in the bone marrow provide a lifelong replenishment of the different cell types making up the blood system. In addition, they are also of capable of making new stem cells. In older people, diseases of the hematopoietic system often occur, such as anemia...

Immature Blood Cells Leukemia Researchers have discovered potential new drugs that work in concert with other drugs to deliver a deadly one-two punch to leukemia. New study highlights potential of mitochondria-targeted chemotherapies. Scientists have discovered promising new drugs that work in concert with other drugs to deliver a deadly one-two punch to leukemia. The researchers are from Rice University and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Although the potential drugs are still years away from being tested in cancer patients, a study published recently in the journal Leukemia underscores their potential and the innovative methods that led to...

Aging occurs in all sensory organs, and cellular senescence plays an important role in this process. Premature senescence of auditory cells can be induced by oxidative stress and can result in hearing loss. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of aging and is associated with the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria generate ATP in cells and are important for energy supply. They are also critical for neurotransmission in the auditory system. Autophagy is a homeostatic process by which damaged or dysfunctional cellular components are removed. Mitochondrial selective autophagy, termed mitophagy, specifically degrades dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria and maintains...

Low back pain seriously affects the quality of life and increases the economic burden on families and society[1,2]. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the main pathogenic factor of low back pain, but its pathological mechanism has not yet been elucidated[3]. Therefore, exploring the pathological mechanism of IDD and seeking new methods for the prevention and treatment of degenerative disc diseases is of great significance to human health. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells play an important role by secreting a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) such as aggrecan and collagen type II to maintain the normal physiological function of the intervertebral...

Myself and four of my friends recently returned from Las Vegas after a golf/guys trip. We left from Austin on Thursday the 16th and returned on Sunday the 19th. One of the guys, the one I shared a room with was not feeling great on Sunday when we were heading back to Austin. I attributed it to a hangover, but on Monday, he sent out a text to the group that he had Covid. After getting that news, we all took tests and only one other guy tested positive. On Thursday another started feeling bad and he retested positive. The...

An oral supplement intended to stimulate a natural body process appears to promote muscle endurance and mitochondrial health in humans. New research suggests that the supplement, urolithin A, may help improve or prolong muscle activity in people who are aging or who have diseases that make exercise difficult. Urolithin A is a byproduct of a person's gut bacteria and a diet comprising polyphenols found in pomegranates, berries and nuts. The compound also is produced and sold by dietary supplement companies. Supplemental urolithin A has been shown in animal tests and molecular studies of humans to stimulate mitophagy, a process that...