Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. MetS is also characterized by an increase of oxidative stress which contributes to impaired inflammation, vascular function, and atherosclerosis. The aim was to assess the oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in plasma and PBMCs in adults with or without MetS. Antioxidant and inflammatory parameters were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 80 men and 80 women over 55 to 80-years-old residing in the Balearic Islands without previously documented cardiovascular disease. Circulating leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, and monocytes were higher in MetS subjects with respect to those without MetS. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were higher in MetS subjects in both genders, but the superoxide dismutase activity was lower. The myeloperoxidase plasma activity was higher in the MetS male subjects. Higher activities and protein levels of catalase and glutathione reductase in PBMCs were observed in MetS subjects in both genders. Obtained data show that MetS is associated with oxidative stress and a proinflammatory state and with high antioxidant defenses in PBMCs probably derived from a pre-activation state of immune cells.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and involves an oxidative stress mechanism. The transcription factor Nrf2 has a crucial role in cytoprotective response against oxidative stress, including cancer growth and progression and therapy resistance. For this reason, inhibitors of Nrf2 are new targets to be studied. Traditional plant-based remedies rich in phytochemicals have been used against human cancers and phenolic compounds are known for their chemopreventive properties. This comprehensive review offers an updated review of the role of phenolic compounds as anticancer agents due to their action on Nrf2 inhibition. In addition, the role of naturally-occurring bioactive anticancer agents are covered in the clinical applications of polyphenols as Nrf2 inhibitors.

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a bioactive compound, a natural anthraquinone aglycone, present mainly in herbaceous species of the families Fabaceae, Polygonaceae and Rhamnaceae, with a physiological role in protection against abiotic stress in vegetative tissues. Emodin is mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat sore throats, carbuncles, sores, blood stasis, and damp-heat jaundice. Pharmacological research in the last decade has revealed other potential therapeutic applications such as anticancer, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The present study aimed to summarize recent studies on bioavailability, preclinical pharmacological effects with evidence of molecular mechanisms, clinical trials and clinical pitfalls, respectively the therapeutic limitations of emodin. For this purpose, extensive searches were performed using the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google scholar, TRIP database, Springer link, Wiley and SciFinder databases as a search engines. The in vitro and in vivo studies included in this updated review highlighted the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of emodin. Because its bioavailability is low, there are limitations in clinical therapeutic use. In conclusion, for an increase in pharmacotherapeutic efficacy, future studies with carrier molecules to the target, thus opening up new therapeutic perspectives.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the clinical application of oxygen at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. HBOT has been effectively used to manage diverse clinical pathologies, such as non-healing diabetic ulcers. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of HBOT on the plasma oxidative and inflammation biomarkers and growth factors in patients with chronic diabetic wounds. The participants received 20 HBOT sessions (five sessions/week), and blood samples were obtained at sessions 1, 5 and 20, before and 2 h after the HBOT. An additional (control) blood sample was collected 28 days after wound recovery. No significant differences were evident in haematological parameters, whereas the biochemical parameters progressively decreased, which was significant for creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The pro-inflammatory mediators, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β), progressively decreased throughout the treatments. Biomarkers of oxidative stress––plasma protein levels of catalase, extracellular superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and protein carbonyls––were reduced in accordance with wound healing. Plasma levels of growth factors––platelet-derived growth factor (PDFG), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α)–– were increased as a consequence of HBOT and reduced 28 days after complete wound healing, whereas matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) progressively decreased with the HBOT. In conclusion, HBOT reduced oxidative and pro-inflammatory mediators, and may participate in activating healing, angiogenesis and vascular tone regulation by increasing the release of growth factors.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive fat accumulation, especially triglycerides, in hepatocytes. If the pathology is not properly treated, it can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and continue to fibrosis, cirrhosis or hepatocarcinoma. Objective: The aim of the current research was to identify the plasma biomarkers of liver damage, oxidative stress and inflammation that facilitate the early diagnosis of the disease and control its progression. Methods: Antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers were measured in the plasma of patients diagnosed with NAFLD (n = 100 adults; 40–60 years old) living in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Patients were classified according to the intrahepatic fat content (IFC) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Circulating glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were higher in patients with an IFC ≥ 2 of NAFLD in comparison to patients with an IFC of 0 and 1. The plasma levels of catalase, irisin, interleukin-6, malondialdehyde, and cytokeratin 18 were higher in stage ≥2 subjects, whereas the resolvin D1 levels were lower. No differences were observed in xanthine oxidase, myeloperoxidase, protein carbonyl and fibroblast growth factor 21 depending on liver status. Conclusion: The current available data show that the severity of NAFLD is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and proinflammatory status. It may be also useful as diagnostic purpose in clinical practice.

Chronic and non-healing wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers and radiation injuries, imply remarkable morbidity with a significant effect on the quality of life and a high sanitary cost. The management of these wounds requires complex actions such as surgical debris, antibiotic treatment, dressings and even revascularization. These wounds are characterized by poor oxygen supply resulting in inadequate oxygenation of the affected tissue. The adjuvant treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may increase tissue oxygenation favoring the healing of wounds which do not respond to the usual clinical care. The increase in the partial pressure of oxygen contributes to cover the energy demands necessary for the healing process and reduces the incidence of infections. Moreover, the increase in oxygen leads to the production of reactive species with hormetic activity, acting on signaling pathways that modulate the synthesis of inflammation mediators, antioxidants and growth factors which can contribute to the healing process. Studies performed with cell cultures and in animal models seem to demonstrate the beneficial effects of HBOT. However, clinical trials do not show such conclusive results; thus, additional randomized placebo-controlled studies are necessary to determine the real efficacy of HBOT and the mechanism of action for various types of wounds.