No abstract

Cells have the ability to adapt to stressful environments as a part of their evolution. Physical exercise induces an increase of a demand for energy that must be met by mitochondria as the main (ATP) provider. However, this process leads to the increase of free radicals and the so-called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are necessary for the maintenance of cell signaling and homeostasis. In addition, mitochondrial biogenesis is influenced by exercise in continuous crosstalk between the mitochondria and the nuclear genome. Excessive workloads may induce severe mitochondrial stress, resulting in oxidative damage. In this regard, the objective of this work was to provide a general overview of the molecular mechanisms involved in mitochondrial adaptation during exercise and to understand if some nutrients such as antioxidants may be implicated in blunt adaptation and/or an impact on the performance of exercise by different means.

No abstract

In Mexico, the use of medicinal plants is the first alternative to treat the diseases of the most economically vulnerable population. Therefore, this review offers a list of Mexican plants (native and introduced) with teratogenic effects and describes their main alterations, teratogenic compounds, and the models and doses used. Our results identified 63 species with teratogenic effects (19 native) and the main alterations that were found in the nervous system and axial skeleton, induced by compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Additionally, a group of hallucinogenic plants rich in alkaloids employed by indigenous groups without teratogenic studies were identified. Our conclusion shows that several of the identified species are employed in Mexican traditional medicine and that the teratogenic species most distributed in Mexico are Astragalus mollissimus, Astragalus lentiginosus, and Lupinus formosus. Considering the total number of plants in Mexico (≈29,000 total vascular plants), to date, existing research in the area shows that Mexican plants with teratogenic effects represent ≈0.22% of the total species of these in the country. This indicates a clear need to intensify the evaluation of the teratogenic effect of Mexican plants.

Kramecyne (KACY), a polymer isolated from , has anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-arthritic and anti-ulcerogenic properties. As a part of standard preclinical safety tests, the present study sought to determine potential developmental toxicity (in female rats) and genotoxicity (in male mice) of KACY. Pregnant female rats were divided into six groups: the negative control (vehicle), the positive control (250 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)), and four experimental groups (50, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of KACY). To evaluate genotoxicity by micronuclei (MN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) tests, male mice were divided into five groups: the negative control (vehicle), the positive control (1.5 and 2.5 mg/kg of doxorubicin for MN and SCE, respectively), and three experimental groups (50, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of KACY). All treatments were administered by oral gavage. A slight maternal toxicity was evidenced by lower weight gain for rats receiving 500 and 1000 mg/kg of KACY, but no fetal malformations were found. However, there were less live fetuses/litter and greater post-implantation loss/litter at these two doses. Manifestations of developmental toxicity were limited to a higher rate of skeletal alterations. The MN tests did not evidence genotoxicity or cytotoxicity. KACY caused a slightly but significantly increased frequency of SCE. Although KACY-treated rats had skeletal alterations, these apparently were not caused by a mechanism of genotoxicity. Furthermore, the same administration in adult male mice did not produce genotoxicity. Hence, KACY herein proved to be safe for rats during the period of organogenesis.