Nutritional Quality Implications: Exploring the Impact of a Fatty Acid-Rich Diet on Central Nervous System Development.

Given the comprehensive examination of the role of fatty acid-rich diets in central nervous system development in children, this study bridges significant gaps in the understanding of dietary effects on neurodevelopment. It delves into the essential functions of fatty acids in neurodevelopment, including their contributions to neuronal membrane formation, neuroinflammatory modulation, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. Despite the acknowledged importance of these nutrients, this review reveals a lack of comprehensive synthesis in current research, particularly regarding the broader spectrum of fatty acids and their optimal levels throughout childhood. By consolidating the existing knowledge and highlighting critical research gaps, such as the effects of fatty acid metabolism on neurodevelopmental disorders and the need for age-specific dietary guidelines, this study sets a foundation for future studies. This underscores the potential of nutritional strategies to significantly influence neurodevelopmental trajectories, advocating an enriched academic and clinical understanding that can inform dietary recommendations and interventions aimed at optimizing neurological health from infancy.

Innovative high fat diet establishes a novel zebrafish model for the study of visceral obesity.

Obesity is a complex chronic condition associated with multiple health risks, including visceral obesity, which is particularly detrimental. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying obesity and its associated pathologies, a novel zebrafish model was established using an innovative high-fat diet (HFD). The primary goal was to induce visceral obesity in zebrafish and study the associated structural changes. To achieve this, a unique HFD consisting of 40% beef fat (HFD40) was developed and supplemented with magnesium aluminometasilicate to improve stability in a high humidity environment. Feeding regimens were initiated for both juvenile (starting at 2 weeks post-fertilization, lasting 18 weeks) and adult zebrafish (3 months post-fertilization, 8 weeks feeding duration). The innovative dietary approach successfully induced visceral obesity in both juvenile and adult zebrafish. This new model provides a valuable tool to study obesity-related pathologies, metabolic syndrome, and potential therapeutic interventions. Most importantly, the low-cost and easy-to-prepare composition of HFD40 was seamlessly incorporated into the water without the need for separation, was readily absorbed by the fish and induced rapid weight gain in the zebrafish population. In conclusion, this study presents a novel HFD40 composition enriched with a high beef fat concentration (40%), which represents a significant advance in the development of an experimental zebrafish model for the study of visceral obesity and associated metabolic changes.

Ligands of the CB2 cannabinoid receptors augment activity of the conventional antidepressant drugs in the behavioural tests in mice.

Although a lot of information can be found on the specific dual role of the endocannabinoid system in the emotional-related responses, little is known whether stimulation or inhibition of the cannabinoid (CB) receptors may affect the activity of the frequently prescribed antidepressant drugs. Our interests have been particularly focused on the potential influence of the CB2 receptors, as the ones whose central effects are relatively poorly documented when compared to the central effects of the CB1 receptors. Therefore, we evaluated the potential interaction between the CB2 receptor ligands (i.e., JWH133 - CB2 receptor agonist and AM630 - CB2 receptor inverse agonist) and several common antidepressant drugs that influence the monoaminergic system (i.e., imipramine, escitalopram, reboxetine). In order to assess the antidepressant-like effects we used two widely recognized behavioural tests, the mouse forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). Brain concentrations of the tested antidepressants were evaluated by the HPLC method. Intraperitoneal co-administration of per se ineffective doses of JWH133 (0.25 mg/kg) or AM630 (0.25 mg/kg) with imipramine (15 mg/kg), escitalopram (2 mg/kg), and reboxetine (2.5 mg/kg) significantly shortened the immobility time of mice in the FST and the TST, whereas it did not disturb their spontaneous locomotor activity. Furthermore, the brain levels of antidepressants were not changed. Summarizing, the results of the present study revealed that both activation and inhibition of the CB2 receptor function have a potential to strengthen the antidepressant activity of drugs targeting the monoaminergic system. Most probably, the described interaction has a pharmacodynamic background.

Molecular interactions and solubilization of structurally related meso-porphyrin photosensitizers by amphiphilic block copolymers (Pluronics).

The influence of four Pluronics block copolymers (i.e. F68, P123, F127, and L44) on the aggregation and solubilization of five structurally related meso-tetraphenyl porphyrin photosensitizers (PS) as model compounds for use in Photodynamic Therapy of cancer (PDT) was evaluated. Interactions between the PSs and Pluronics were studied at micromolar concentration by means of UV-Vis absorption spectrometry and by kinematic viscosity (υ) and osmolarity measurements at millimolar concentrations. Pluronic micelles were characterized by size and zeta potential (ζ) measurements. The morphology of selected PS-Pluronic assemblies was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). While hydrophobic 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl) porphine (THPP) seemed to be solubilized in the Pluronic micellar cores, amphiphilic di(monoethanolammonium) meso-tetraphenyl porphine disulphonate (TPPS2a) was likely bound to the micellar palisade layer. Hydrophilic PSs like 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis (4-trimethylaniliniumphenyl) porphine (TAPP) seemed to form complexes with Pluronic unimers and to be distributed among the micellar coronas. TPPS2a aggregated into a network which could be broken at Pluronic concentration [Formula: see text] cmc, but would reconstitute in the presence of tonicity adjusting agents, e.g. sodium chloride (NaCl) or glucose.

The influence of Pluronics nanovehicles on dark cytotoxicity, photocytotoxicity and localization of four model photosensitizers in cancer cells.

Many photosensitizers (PSs) for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) are characterized by poor solubility and a tendency to aggregate in aqueous environments. Nanovehicles of Pluronics block copolymers may be used for drug delivery of antineoplastic agents and may also exert a separate effect in enhancing drug efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of selected Pluronics (F127, P123, L44 and F68) on the dark cytotoxicity, photocytotoxicity and localization of four model photosensitizers, tetraphenyl porphyrins 4-substituted on the phenyl groups with trimethylamine (TAPP), hydroxyl (THPP), sulfonate (TSPP) and carboxyl (TCPP) in cancer cells. The selected PSs showed a 3 log range in sensitivity to cellular photoinactivation. Pluronics were found to efficiently deaggregate the PSs and improve PS solubility as analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The Pluronics had moderate to profound effects on intracellular localization of the PSs and cellular sensitivity to photoinactivation. Confocal microscopy was used to determine the localization of PSs in colon adenocarcinoma cell line (WiDr), guided by co-staining with nuclear (Hoechst 33342) and endolysosomal (LysoTracker Green DND® 26 and Dextran Alexa Fluor® 488) markers. Of the most significant effects P123 and F127 strongly attenuated the uptake and photocytotoxicity of THPP and redirected the cellular uptake to endocytosis. P123 stimulated translocation of TAPP from endocytic vesicles to a cytosolic and nuclear localization followed by an enhanced phototoxicity. In the absence of Pluronics TCPP was found to localize partly in endocytic vesicles and partly in the cytosol and nucleus, while P123 and F127 lowered the fraction in endocytic vesicles followed by a reduced sensitivity to photoinactivation. F68 had only moderate effects on intracellular localization of the evaluated PSs with the exception of a higher endocytic accumulation of TCPP and lowered photocytotoxicity of TCPP and THPP. In conclusion, Pluronics are attractive solubilizers of porphyrin-based PSs which have in many cases substantial effects on intracellular localization and efficacy of the PSs.