Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that can lead to chronic mucosal damage, causing esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. GERD currently affects about 13% of the world’s population and represent a major public health concern due to the increasing prevalence and incidence. The aim of this study was to explore complementary strategies for GERD management based the natural compound palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), alone or associated with plant extracts with demonstrated anti-GERD activity (Zingiber officinale, Musa × paradisiaca, Opuntia ficus-indica and Olea europaea). For this purpose, two in vitro models based on the esophageal mucosa CP-B cell line were chosen. The first one was based on the exposure of esophageal cells to HCl, while the second one was based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment to cause a strong inflammatory cell response. Inflammation induced was assessed using a Luminex^® assay, measuring the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-8 and TNF-α. Results obtained demonstrate that PEA strongly decreased the inflammatory response elicited by HCl exposure. Moreover, the effect of PEA was enhanced by the presence of natural extracts of Zingiber officinale, Musa × paradisiaca, Opuntia ficus-indica and Olea europaea. PEA should be considered as an anti-GERD natural compound of interest.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving selective neuronal vulnerability to different neurodegenerative disorders remains a crucial, unsolved question. Here, we explored the case of Huntington's disease (HD), where the striatum and, specifically, dopamine receptor 1 (D1R) and dopamine receptor 2 (D2R) medium‐sized spiny neurons (MSNs) exhibit differential susceptibility to the HTT CAG‐repeat expansion mutation, with D2R‐neurons being impacted earlier and more significantly. To unravel differences between D2R and D1R MSNs, we employed a multidimensional approach, integrating genomic, transcriptional, pattern distribution, and somatic instability analyses. Specifically, we used Htt CAG knock‐in mouse models harboring 18 ( Htt ^Q20 : “control”) or ~190 ( Htt ^Q175 : “HD”) consecutive CAG repeats, expressing tdTomato and EGFP under the control of Drd1 and Drd2 promoters, respectively. First, comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analyses following fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) of dissociated striatal neurons revealed distinct gene expression profiles with a significant upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and translation pathways in D1R‐positive neurons already at the pre‐symptomatic stage. These transcriptional changes were not accompanied by major copy number variations, as shown by parallel genomic analysis. Secondly, histological analyses revealed a greater proportion of D1R‐positive neurons compared to D2R‐positive neurons in HD mice, particularly in the ventral‐medial neostriatum, with D2R‐positive neurons presenting an increased nuclear accumulation of mutant huntingtin aggregates. In summary, our integrative study suggests that the distinct vulnerability of MSNs in HD might result from a combination of an early transcriptional compensatory response of D1R neurons together with specific susceptibility of D2R neurons.