The potential role of mesenchymal stem cells in modulating antiageing process

Ageing and age-related diseases share some basic origin that largely converges on inflammation. Precisely, it boils down to a common pathway characterised by the appearance of a fair amount of proinflammatory cytokines known as inflammageing. Among the proposed treatment for antiageing, MSCs gained attention in recent years. Since mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate itself into a myriad of terminal cells, previously it was believed that these cells migrate to the site of injury and perform their therapeutic effect. However, with the more recent discovery of huge amounts of paracrine factors secreted by MSCs, it is now widely accepted that these cells do not engraft upon transplantation but rather unveil their benefits through excretion of bioactive molecules namely those involved in inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Conversely, the true function of these paracrine changes has not been thoroughly investigated all these years. Hence, this review will describe in detail on ways MSCs may capitalize its paracrine properties in modulating antiageing process. Through a comprehensive literature search various elements in the antiageing process, we aim to provide a novel treatment perspective of MSCs in antiageing related clinical conditions.     

Activation of Hsp90/NOS and increased NO generation does not impair mitochondrial respiratory chain by competitive binding at cytochrome C Oxidase in low oxygen concentrations

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to regulate mitochondrial respiration, especially during metabolic stress and disease, by nitrosation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes (irreversible) and by a competitive binding at O₂ binding site of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) in complex IV (reversible). In this study, by using bovine aortic endothelial cells, we demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of endogenously generated NO by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation, by either NOS stimulators or association with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), is significant only at high prevailing pO₂ through nitrosation of mitochondrial ETC complexes, but it does not inhibit the respiration by competitive binding at CcO at very low pO₂. ETC complexes activity measurements confirmed that significant reduction in complex IV activity was noticed at higher pO₂, but it was unaffected at low pO₂ in these cells. This was further extended to heat-shocked cells, where NOS was activated by the induction/activation of (Hsp90) through heat shock at an elevated temperature of 42°C. From these results, we conclude that the entire attenuation of respiration by endogenous NO is due to irreversible inhibition by nitrosation of ETC complexes but not through reversible inhibition by competing with O₂ binding at CcO at complex IV.     

Burden of depression and anxiety among leprosy affected and associated factors—A cross sectional study from India

BackgroundLeprosy is a Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) known to cause stigma and discrimination in low-and middle-income countries. It often results in visible impairments, thus pre-disposing to poor mental health. Aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among people affected by Leprosy and to determine the associated factors.Methodology/Principal findingsA multi-centric, cross-sectional study was carried out in four leprosy endemic states of India—Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu in randomly selected blocks (a sub-unit of district), from one district in each state. From selected blocks those registered for leprosy treatment at public health or referral centres, people above the age of 18 years were interviewed with PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires for Depression and Anxiety, respectively. Disease profile like leprosy classification, deformity grade, number and site of the patches and socio-economic status were collected along with individual data.Of the total 220 respondents, prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms was, 33% (73) and 19% (42), respectively. Presence of disability (47%) and Female gender (46%) were significantly associated with depression. Presence of disability (32%), Lower income group (27%) and low education (22%) were significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety. As the severity of disability increased, risk of developing depression and anxiety increased.ConclusionThe study indicates that more than 30% of people affected by leprosy have mental health problems, which emphasizes the importance of mental health care services in leprosy. Women, those who had lower level of education, those belonging to lower socio-economic status and those with any level of disability due to leprosy are at risk of developing depression and/or anxiety. The study concludes more attention to be paid to the categories identified to be at risk.     

Non‐edible oil seed producing Calophyllum inophyllum ideal for India's future biofuel development

The impending climate change crisis has stimulated enormous interest in the development of biofuel globally. The supporters of biofuel hail that it is naturally carbon‐neutral whereas the critiques argue that the large‐scale plantations and production of biofuel based on Jatropha can not only strain agricultural resources but also threaten future food security. India's subsistence farmers are often faced with challenges and constraints of poverty. Foremost among the challenges are the marginal environmental conditions for agriculture often influenced by erratic rainfall, drought, poor soil quality, and unreliable irrigation water supply. In this article, we have presented a case study on the potential to use nonedible seeds from naturally occurring tree species, Calophyllum inophyllum to meet the increasing demand for biofuel production in India.