No abstract

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are intracellular molecules released into the extracellular environment after injury. These are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and activate the innate immune system, triggering an inflammatory response. The most commonly studied DAMPs are S100 proteins, Thermal Shock Proteins (HSPs) and High Mobility Box Group 1 (HMGB1). Among the PRRs are the Toll-like Receptor (TLRs), the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGEs), Nod-like Receptor (NLRs) and the Absent Receptor in Melanoma 2 (AIM-2). DAMPs are intimately involved in the etiopathogenesis of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, liver disease, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. It is very important to select molecular markers that enable the assembly of biological assays, with a view to elucidating the evaluation of the immune response. The present study evaluated different human DAMPs and their receptors in order to find molecular markers associated with diseases using bioinformatics tools. The screening of messenger RNA (mRNA) amino acid sequences was performed on the NCBI database using the nucleotide tool. Secondary mRNA prediction using RNAStructure and RNA foldWebServer software, epitope antigenicity prediction using the Immune Epitope Database Analysis Resource software and primer design using the Primer-BLAST Platform were evaluated. Considering the best predictions of secondary mRNA from receptors and DAMPs, 104 epitopes and 83 molecular marker candidates were predicted. The results presented are promising and could be used as immunomodulators or as diagnostic and prognostic platforms in various diseases.

No abstract

Low endogenous estrogen action causes several injuries. Medicinal plants, such as flaxseed and mulberry, contain substances that have been shown to be effective to the organism. The aim was to verify the effects of flaxseed and/or mulberry extracts on ovariectomized Wistar rats. The animals received supplements of extracts and estrogen or saline by gavage for 60 days and were weighed weekly. Vaginal wash, blood, pituitary, uterus, liver, and kidneys were collected. Phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of the extracts, lipid profile, uric acid, liver enzymes, and pituitary weight were measured. Histomorphometric for uterine wall and histopathological analyses for liver and kidney were performed. Flaxseed and mulberry extracts showed great antioxidant activity and large amounts of phenolic compounds. The treatment with extracts had less weight gain, increased pituitary weight, the predominance of vaginal epithelial cells, and reduced TC, LDL-c and lipase activity, similar to estrogen animals. Estrogen or flaxseed + mulberry animals reduced VLDL-c and TAG. HDL-c, uric acid, and liver enzymes did not differ. Estrogen or extracts demonstrated trophic action on the endometrial thickness and have not shown hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity. We suggested the beneficial effects of flaxseed and mulberry extract as an alternative to reduce and/or prevent the negative effects caused by low estrogenic action.