Despite the massive efforts of modern medicine to stop the evolution of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it affects an increasing number of people, changing individual lives and imposing itself as a burden on families and the health systems. Considering that the vast majority of conventional drug therapies did not lead to the expected results, this review will discuss the newly developing therapies as an alternative in the effort to stop or slow AD. Focused Ultrasound (FUS) and its derived Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) are non-invasive therapeutic approaches. Singly or as an applied technique to change the permeability of the blood–brain–barrier (BBB), FUS and TPS have demonstrated the benefits of use in treating AD in animal and human studies. Adipose-derived stem Cells (ADSCs), gene therapy, and many other alternative methods (diet, sleep pattern, physical exercise, nanoparticle delivery) are also new potential treatments since multimodal approaches represent the modern trend in this disorder research therapies.

Glucocorticoids are effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. Long-term exposure is associated with multiple metabolic side effects. Spore-forming probiotic bacteria have shown modulatory properties regarding glycolipid metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the effects of Bacillus species spores (B. licheniformis, B. indicus, B. subtilis, B. clausii, and B. coagulans) alone and in combination with metformin against dexamethasone-induced systemic disturbances. A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: group 1 served as control (CONTROL), group 2 received dexamethasone (DEXA), group 3 received DEXA and MegaSporeBiotic (MSB), group 4 received DEXA and metformin (MET), and group 5 received DEXA, MSB, and MET. On the last day of the experiment, blood samples and liver tissue samples for histopathological examination were collected. We determined serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and metformin concentration. DEXA administration caused hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, increased inflammation cytokines, and decreased antioxidant markers. Treatment with MSB reduced total cholesterol, suggesting that the administration of Bacillus spores-based probiotics to DEXA-treated rats could ameliorate metabolic parameters.

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition with a complex physio-pathological background. This study aimed to assess the role of Rubus idaeus leaf extract (RiDE) as a potential therapeutic agent in reducing the size of the endometriotic lesions and modulate the plasma expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TGF-β1. The endometriotic lesions were induced in a rat model by the autologous transplant of endometrium. Thirty-six female rats, Wistar breed, with induced endometriosis, were divided into four groups and underwent treatment for 28 days. The CTRL group received 0.5 mL/day of the vehicle; the DG group received 1 mg/kg b.w./day dienogest; the RiDG group received 0.25 mL/kg b.w./day RiDE and the D+RiDG group received 1 mg/kg b.w./day dienogest and 0.25 mL/kg b.w./day RiDE, respectively. Rats’ weight, endometriotic lesion diameter and grade, and plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 were assessed before and after treatment. The administration of RiDE in association with dienogest vs. dienogest determined a lower weight gain and a reduction in diameter of the endometriotic lesions. RiDE administration restored MMP2 and MMP9 plasma levels to initial conditions. Rubus idaeus extract may help in reducing dienogest-associated weight gain, lower the size of endometriotic lesions, and have anti-inflammatory effects through MMP2 and MMP9 reduction.

The paper provides an overview of the current understanding of different cells' biology (e.g., keratinocytes, Paneth cells, myoepithelial cells, myofibroblasts, chondroclasts, monocytes, atrial cardiomyocytes), including their origin, structure, function, and role in disease pathogenesis, and of the latest findings in the medical literature concerning the brown adipose tissue and the juxtaoral organ of Chievitz.

This study aimed to assess the influence of different types of blue light sources on male and female rats' puberty onset, the morphologic-induced alterations in reproductive organs tissues, the impact on inflammation and oxidative stress markers, anxiety levels, and mathematical modeling for tissue data interpretation. Four groups of sixteen rats each (8 females and 8 males/group) were investigated: three groups were exposed to blue light from mobile phones (MP), computer screens (PC), or LED lamps (LED) versus the control group (CTRL). The rats in the CTRL group had no exposure while the other groups were exposed for 30 days to the blue light of MP, PC, and LED for 16 h per day. Serum levels of cortisol, TNF-α, IL-6, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 ovaries and testis tissue levels were analyzed using the ELISA technique. Total oxidative stress (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum were determined spectrophotometrically. Histomorphological examination was performed on both male and female genital organs. Rats of both sexes presented significant early onset of puberty secondary to blue light exposure. LED-emitted light significantly increased TNF-α and MMP-9 levels in both sexes. The MP and PC emitted light significantly affected the levels of MMP-2 in both females and males. Levels of TOS and NO were increased by LED, respectively by MP and LED exposure in female rats. The histopathological examination revealed no statistically significant differences in the ovaries and testes of rats across the different groups. Blue light exposure induces precocious puberty, by accelerating sexual maturation, and triggers the overproduction of MMPs that could promote organic alteration through tissue remodeling. Oxidative stress parameters were upregulated only in female rats, while cortisol levels were higher in male rats.

Background and Objectives: Reduced bone quality due to osteoporosis significantly complicates oral rehabilitation and bone regeneration therapies. While Vitamin D (Vit. D3) is crucial for osteogenesis, systemic administration often lacks local efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the osteoregenerative potential of a novel Chitosan-based nanostructured scaffold (NS) loaded with Vit. D3, underlining its efficacy in vitro and in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: Chitosan NSs were fabricated with varying Vit. D3 concentrations. In vitro assessments included cytotoxicity (MTT assay), cell viability (Alamar Blue), and mineralization (Alizarin Red) using human dental follicle stem cells. In vivo, 30 Wistar rats were ovariectomized to induce osteoporosis (confirmed by biomarkers Osteocalcin and β-CTX) and were divided into three groups (n = 10). Bilateral maxillary bone defects were treated with (1) a Control (clot only), (2) a Hemostatic Sponge with Vit. D3 (HS/Vit. D3), or (3) an NS loaded with Vit. D3 (NS/Vit. D3-6.25 ng/mL). Histological and morphometric analyses were performed at 4 and 8 weeks. Results: In vitro, the NS loaded with 6.25 ng/mL Vit. D3 demonstrated superior cytocompatibility, achieving a cell viability of 117.77% at 72 h and significantly enhanced calcium nodule deposition compared to controls. In vivo, a total of 44 defect sites were analyzed following the exclusion of compromised samples (Control: 16 sites; HS/Vit. D3: 16 sites; NS/Vit. D3: 12 sites). The NS/Vit. D3-6.25 ng/mL group exhibited the highest degree of mature bone formation and vascularization (p < 0.05) compared to the Control and HS/Vit. D3 groups. While cellular activity (osteoblasts/osteocytes) was initially higher in the HS/Vit. D3 group, the NS/Vit. D3-6.25 ng/mL group achieved superior structural integration and scaffold replacement by mature bone tissue over time. Conclusions: The novel Vit. D3-loaded Chitosan NS effectively promotes bone regeneration in osteoporotic conditions. It supports osteogenic differentiation in vitro and enhances bone matrix maturation in vivo, suggesting its potential as a bioactive scaffold for regenerative dentistry.