Autofagia: un processo genere specifico?

The purpose of this study was to clarify if autophagic processes that play an important role in many diseases such as ischemia, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, are influenced by the determinant gender. In particular, research has focused on the liver, heart and kidney as well as analyzing some aspects of isolated cells. It'clear that in some organs the liver see the process is greatly influenced by gender and in the kidney does not seem to be influenced by this factor at least in physiological conditions. Also see the cells in culture VSMC exhibit significant differences in autophagic processes and substances with antioxidant activity such as minor polar compounds extracted olive oil extravergine change the autophagic process in a specific gender. Suggesting that such drugs can be achieved in this area involving specific diseases that are the main causes of death. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradative pathway involved in the intracellular turnover of proteins and cell organelles and has an important role in regulating cell fate in response to stress. We demonstrated a gender disparity in this regard (Malorni et al., 2008; Straface et al., 2009). Under basal conditions autophagic activity is low but can be activated by physiological and pathological conditions in multiple organs.