Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element; it exhibits a plethora of physiological properties and biochemical functions. It plays a pivotal role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA organization, as well as in protein, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Among other important processes, Zn plays an essential role in reproductive health. The ZIP and ZnT proteins are responsible for the mobilization of Zn within the cell. Zn is an inert antioxidant through its interaction with a variety of proteins and enzymes to regulate the redox system, including metallothioneins (MTs), metalloenzymes, and gene regulatory proteins. The role of Zn in the reproductive system is of great importance; processes, such as spermatogenesis and sperm maturation that occur in the testicle and epididymis, respectively, depend on this element for their development and function. Zn modulates the synthesis of androgens, such as testosterone, for these reproductive processes, so Zn deficiency is related to alterations in sperm parameters that lead to male infertility.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterized by widespread chronic pain, significant depression, and various neural abnormalities. Recent research suggests a reciprocal exacerbation mechanism between chronic pain and depression. In patients with FM, dysregulation of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism has been identified. Trp, an essential amino acid, serves as a precursor to serotonin (5-HT), a neuromodulator that influences mood, appetite, sleep, and pain perception through the receptors 5-HT1, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3. Additionally, Trp is involved in the kynurenine pathway, a critical route in the immune response, inflammation, and production of neuroactive substances and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). The activation of this pathway by pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), leads to the production of kynurenic acid (KYNA), which has neuroprotective properties, and quinolinic acid (QA), which is neurotoxic. These findings underscore the crucial balance between Trp metabolism, 5-HT, and kynurenine, where an imbalance can contribute to the dual burden of pain and depression in patients with FM. This review proposes a novel therapeutic approach for FM pain management, focusing on inhibiting QA synthesis while co-administering selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to potentially increase KYNA levels, thus dampening pain perception and improving patient outcomes.

This review analyzes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) production and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted using the Web of Science (2020–2026), resulting in 225 included studies. Buffalo production is a multipurpose system that generates value through milk, meat, hides, manure, draft power, and animal-assisted services, with greater longevity than most livestock species. Economically, it supports income diversification, resource efficiency, and functions as a financial asset that can be sold to cover unexpected expenses. Socially, it enhances food security by providing nutrient-dense products, particularly milk with bioactive compounds associated with potential health benefits, and promotes women’s participation in livestock management and household economies. Environmentally, buffalo systems efficiently utilize low-quality forages, are adapted to marginal conditions, contribute to wetland conservation, and provide ecosystem services. These contributions align with several SDGs (1, 2, 5, 8, 12, 13, and 15). However, sector expansion is constrained by limitations in nutrition, management, veterinary services, and reproductive efficiency, as well as environmental challenges related to methane emissions and life cycle impacts. While global methane emissions from buffalo are lower due to their smaller population, emission intensity remains system-dependent and represents a critical challenge. In conclusion, water buffalo production represents a multifunctional and context-dependent system with significant potential to support sustainable development, although targeted innovations are required to improve productivity and address environmental challenges. Future research should integrate One Health and One Welfare approaches, develop long-term studies, and expand research under diverse experimental and field conditions to better characterize the potential health implications of buffalo-derived products. In addition, strengthening circular economy strategies, including region-specific diets to reduce emissions, remains a priority.

One of the principal problems in swine production is neonatal mortality, especially in primiparous sows. Caffeine has been shown to be an efficacious neonatal stimulant that reduces mortality while improving key metabolic indicators associated with hypoxic processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inducing parturition with a full dose (FD) (175 μg) or split dose (SD) (87.5 + 87.5 μg) of cloprostenol (PGF2α), with and without the administration of a single dose of caffeine (420 mg), on the vitality, clinical status, surface temperature, and weight at weaning of neonate pigs. In this experiment, the duration of farrowing was affected by the induction technique, as the PGF2α SD and PGF2α SD + caffeine treatment groups reduced this time by as much as 100 min compared to PGF2α FD and PGF2α FD + caffeine. The groups that received caffeine presented the best values for the indicators of the neonate performance, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), glucose, surface temperature at 24 h, and weight at 21 days, especially the PGF2α SD + caffeine group. PGF2α FD had the lowest neonate performance and metabolic variables. Inducing birth with PGF2α SD is more efficient, and adding caffeine improves the performance and metabolic variables of piglets born from primiparous sows.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by progressive degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor dysfunction and compensatory postsynaptic dopamine receptor alterations. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has shown neuroprotective properties; however, its dose-dependent effects on dopaminergic integrity and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) regulation remain unclear. Adult male Wistar rats received VPA (200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle for 20 days prior to unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioning. Motor performance was evaluated using the beam balance test, exploratory behavior in the open field, striatal dopamine levels by PLC-electrochemical detection, and D2R protein expression by Western blot. The 6-OHDA lesion induced marked motor deficits, reduced striatal dopamine content, and significantly increased D2R expression. VPA at 200 mg/kg produced only minor, non-significant effects. In contrast, VPA at 400 mg/kg preserved motor performance, attenuated dopamine depletion, and normalized striatal D2R expression. These findings demonstrate a clear dose-dependent neuroprotective effect of VPA and indicate that stabilization of postsynaptic D2R expression accompanies preservation of dopaminergic terminals in the 6-OHDA rat model.

Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represents a major clinical challenge and is increasingly associated with persistent neuroinflammatory processes. Evidence suggests that dysregulation of the immune system, particularly the imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, contributes to poor therapeutic response. In this context, interleukin-10 (IL-10) has emerged as a key mediator in regulating the inflammatory response. Objective: To systematically analyze the evidence on neuroimmune dysregulation in depression, with an emphasis on TRD, and to evaluate the potential role of IL-10 as a biomarker and modulator of therapeutic response. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Fourteen studies were included, comprising randomized clinical trials, longitudinal studies, a prospective cohort study, and exploratory designs. Methodological quality was assessed using the RoB 2 tool and complementary approaches. Data were integrated through a qualitative analysis focused on inflammatory biomarkers and clinical outcomes. Results: The studies consistently showed an association between elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, and the severity of depressive symptoms, as well as reduced response to conventional treatments. Immunomodulatory interventions, including ketamine, pentoxifylline, and minocycline, were associated with clinical improvement, particularly in patients with elevated baseline inflammation. IL-10 appears to be involved in counter-regulatory neuroimmune processes associated with inflammatory balance. Conclusions: Neuroinflammation plays a central role in TRD. IL-10 may serve as a relevant biomarker and a potential target for personalized therapeutic strategies informed by immune profiles, through modulation of neuroinflammatory pathways.