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1.
Infection ; 2024 Mar 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38457094

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Tularaemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a highly virulent bacterium that affects humans and small wild animals. It is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly through contaminated soil, water or arthropod bites (e.g. ticks). Primary thoracic manifestations of tularaemia are infrequent and, therefore, a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. METHODS: We report six tularaemia cases with exclusively thoracic involvement diagnosed in a clinic for pulmonary diseases in Bavaria between 10/2020 and 02/2022. RESULTS: All patients lived or were active in rural areas, four reported a recent tick bite. All patients presented with thoracic lymphadenopathy and pulmonary tumours or consolidations; all underwent bronchoscopy with EBUS-TBNA of lymph nodes, three lung biopsies as well. Five patients showed inflammatory changes in the endobronchial mucosa. The main histological findings were necrotic epithelioid granulomas with remarkable granulocyte infiltration. All cases were identified by positive serology, five by PCR (here identification of F.t. ssp. Holarctica) from biopsy as well. As first-line therapy, oral ciprofloxacin was given (5/6); in 2/6 cases, a combination of quinolone-rifampicin was given. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary tularaemia may occur after tick bites and without extrathoracic manifestations. In patients who present with thoracic lymphadenopathy and pulmonary consolidations and who are exposed to increased outdoor activities, tularaemia should be included in the diagnostic pathway. Histologically, the presence of neutrophil-granulocyte infiltrations might help to distinguish tularaemia from other granulomatous infections, e.g. tuberculosis. The combination of quinolone-rifampicin rather than i.v. gentamicin reduced length of hospital stay in two patients.

2.
Nat Metab ; 4(4): 476-494, 2022 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35478031

RESUMO

Resulting from impaired collagen turnover, fibrosis is a hallmark of adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction and obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR). Prolidase, also known as peptidase D (PEPD), plays a vital role in collagen turnover by degrading proline-containing dipeptides but its specific functional relevance in AT is unknown. Here we show that in human and mouse obesity, PEPD expression and activity decrease in AT, and PEPD is released into the systemic circulation, which promotes fibrosis and AT IR. Loss of the enzymatic function of PEPD by genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition causes AT fibrosis in mice. In addition to its intracellular enzymatic role, secreted extracellular PEPD protein enhances macrophage and adipocyte fibro-inflammatory responses via EGFR signalling, thereby promoting AT fibrosis and IR. We further show that decreased prolidase activity is coupled with increased systemic levels of PEPD that act as a pathogenic trigger of AT fibrosis and IR. Thus, PEPD produced by macrophages might serve as a biomarker of AT fibro-inflammation and could represent a therapeutic target for AT fibrosis and obesity-associated IR and type 2 diabetes.


Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Resistência à Insulina , Tecido Adiposo/metabolismo , Animais , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Dipeptidases , Fibrose , Inflamação/metabolismo , Resistência à Insulina/genética , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Obesidade/metabolismo
3.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 31(3): 797-802, 2017.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28890831

RESUMO

Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle are organs capable of secreting many bioactive molecules, such as adipomiokines that could be possibly involved in mood disorders. In the present work, we investigated the possible behavioral effects of a single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of two adipomiokines, fibrobroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 (0.5-5.0 µg) and irisin (0.4-0.6 µg), in male rats tested in the open field and elevated plus maze tests. Prefrontal cortex levels of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and the gene expression of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), dopamine transport (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Both FGF-21 and irisin administration induced anxiogenic behavior, increased DA levels in prefrontal cortex, decreased COMT, DAT and increased TH gene expression. In conclusion, in the present study we demonstrated behavioral effects induced by central FGF-21 and irisin injections that could involve increased DA signaling in the prefrontal cortex.


Assuntos
Ansiedade/metabolismo , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Fatores de Crescimento de Fibroblastos/farmacologia , Fibronectinas/farmacologia , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Ansiedade/fisiopatologia , Catecol O-Metiltransferase/biossíntese , Dopamina/metabolismo , Proteínas da Membrana Plasmática de Transporte de Dopamina/metabolismo , Fatores de Crescimento de Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Fibronectinas/metabolismo , Masculino , Norepinefrina/metabolismo , Córtex Pré-Frontal/metabolismo , Córtex Pré-Frontal/fisiopatologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Serotonina/metabolismo , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo
4.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 31(3): 603-613, 2017.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28889722

RESUMO

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is known as a major metabolic regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of FGF21 was found to modulate feeding and energy expenditure in rats with diet-induced obesity, suggesting a central effect by the peptide. In this context, in the present work, we studied the effects of a single central FGF21 administration (0.5-5 µg) on feeding and energy expenditure by evaluating locomotor activity, interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) weight, gene expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) in BAT and plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels in Sprague-Dawley fed rats. In addition, we evaluated the effects of FGF21 on orexigenic [agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY)] and anorexigenic [cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC)] peptides, in the hypothalamus, and dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine, 5-HT) levels in nucleus accumbens (NAc). We confirmed that central FGF21 administration induced a significant increase in food intake, possibly mediated by increased NPY and AgRP, and decreased POMC and CART gene expression. Moreover, FGF21 could modulate the motivational aspects of feeding, possibly through stimulated NAc DA levels. On the other hand, our findings of decreased locomotor activity, BAT weight, UCP-1 gene expression and plasma NE levels support a role for FGF21 in decreasing energy expenditure.


Assuntos
Metabolismo Energético/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Alimentar/efeitos dos fármacos , Fatores de Crescimento de Fibroblastos/farmacologia , Locomoção/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/sangue , Animais , Fatores de Crescimento de Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/sangue , Neuropeptídeo Y/sangue , Pró-Opiomelanocortina/sangue , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley
5.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 31(3): 531-541, 2017.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28889734

RESUMO

Prostatitis is a common prostate disease that could be promoted by bacterial or non-bacterial infectious agents. In addition, inflammatory pathways involved in prostatitis have been increasingly studied, and herbal extracts endowed with anti-inflammatory effects are under investigation, individually or in combination, for their efficacy in alleviating the burden of inflammation, with possible improvements in symptoms. Serenoa repens (Serenoa), in combination with Crocus sativus (Crocus) and Pinus massoniana (Pinus), has previously shown to improve sexual function and limit urinary symptoms in patients suffering from concomitant erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms. In this context, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of Serenoa, Crocus and Pinus extracts, either alone or in combination, on immortalized prostate cells (PC3) and in an experimental model of bacterial prostatitis constituted by ex vivo prostate specimens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that the tested extracts were able to reduce ROS production by PC3 cells and NFkB and PGE2 activity in prostate specimens challenged with LPS. In addition, the pharmacological association of the extracts displayed synergistic effects indicating a rational use of the mixture of the tested extracts as a novel anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory formulation in bacterial prostatitis. Finally, we performed analytical and in vitro evaluation to better characterize the phytochemical profile and the mechanism of action of selected secondary metabolites.


Assuntos
Crocus/química , Lipopolissacarídeos/toxicidade , Pinus/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Prostatite , Serenoa/química , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Masculino , Extratos Vegetais/química , Próstata/metabolismo , Próstata/patologia , Prostatite/induzido quimicamente , Prostatite/tratamento farmacológico , Prostatite/metabolismo , Prostatite/patologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo
7.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 30(3): 883-888, 2016.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27655516

RESUMO

The 77 amino prepropeptide apelin has been isolated from bovine stomach tissue and several smaller fragments, including apelin-13, showed high affinity for the orphan APJ receptor. The distribution of apelinergic fibers and receptors in the hypothalamus may suggest a role of apelin-13 on energy balance regulation, albeit the studies reporting the acute effects of apelin on feeding control are inconsistent. Considering the possible involvement of apelinergic system on hypothalamic appetite controlling network, in the present study we evaluated in the rat the effects of intrahypothalamic apelin-13 injection on food intake and the involvement of orexigenic and anorexigenic hypothalamic peptides and neurotransmitters. Eighteen rats (6 for each group of treatment) were injected into the ARC with either vehicle or apelin-13 (1-2 µg/rat). Food intake and hypothalamic peptide and neurotransmitter levels were evaluated 2 and 24 h after injection. Compared to vehicle, apelin-13 administration increased food intake both 2 and 24 h following treatment. This effect could be related to inhibited cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) gene expression and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) synthesis and release, and increased orexin A gene expression in the hypothalamus.


Assuntos
Apetite/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Alimentar/efeitos dos fármacos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intercelular/uso terapêutico , Animais , Apetite/fisiologia , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/fisiologia , Estimulação Elétrica , Comportamento Alimentar/fisiologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Hipotálamo/ultraestrutura , Injeções , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intercelular/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuropeptídeos/genética , Neuropeptídeos/fisiologia , Neurotransmissores/genética , Neurotransmissores/fisiologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Serotonina/fisiologia , Sinaptossomos/metabolismo
8.
Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol ; 48(5): 182-7, 2016 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27608474

RESUMO

Background. In chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) first-line therapy with an antihistamine-based regimen may not achieve satisfactory control in patients. Thus, a continuing need exists for effective and safe treatments for refractory CSU. Aim. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of an intake of a combination of 2 probiotics (Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03) in patients with CSU who remain symptomatic despite concomitant H1-antihistamine therapy. Methods. This report analyzes the effects of therapy with two probiotic strains on the clinical progress of 52 unselected patients with difficulty to treat CSU underwent to medical examination in two Italian specialist urticaria Clinics between September 2013 and September 2014. A mixture of Lactobacillus LS01 and Bifidobacterium BR03 were administered in each patient twice daily for 8 weeks. To evaluate patients' improvement with probiotics, urticaria activity score over 7 days (UAS7) was used at baseline and at week 8 in addition to a 5-question urticaria quality of life questionnaire. Results. Fifty-two patients with CSU were included in this study (10 male and 42 female, age range 19-72 years). Mean disease duration was 1.5 years. Fourteen patients discontinued treatment, so evaluable population consisted of 38 patients. Nine of the 38 patients experienced mild clinical improvement during probiotic treatment (23.7%); one patient reported significant clinical improvement (2.6%) and one patient had complete remission of urticaria (2.6%). Twenty-seven patients did not have improvement in symptoms (71.1%). No side effects during the course of therapy were reported. Conclusions. A combination of Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 administered twice daily for 8 weeks might reduce the symptoms scores and improve quality of life scores in a part of patients with CSU who remained symptomatic despite treatment with H1 antihistamine mostly in subjects with allergic rhinitis.


Assuntos
Bifidobacterium breve/fisiologia , Antagonistas não Sedativos dos Receptores H1 da Histamina/uso terapêutico , Hipersensibilidade/terapia , Ligilactobacillus salivarius/fisiologia , Probióticos , Urticária/terapia , Adulto , Idoso , Doença Crônica , Terapia Combinada , Feminino , Antagonistas não Sedativos dos Receptores H1 da Histamina/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Hipersensibilidade/diagnóstico , Hipersensibilidade/imunologia , Hipersensibilidade/microbiologia , Itália , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Probióticos/efeitos adversos , Qualidade de Vida , Indução de Remissão , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do Tratamento , Urticária/diagnóstico , Urticária/imunologia , Urticária/microbiologia , Adulto Jovem
9.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 30(4): 985-996, 2016.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28078844

RESUMO

A pivotal role in osteoporosis development is played by radical oxygen species (ROS), the increased production of which is related to inhibited osteoblastic activity and bone formation. A new field of research could involve medicinal plants with antioxidant and protective effects in osteoporosis. Furthermore, considering the multifactorial metabolic aspects of osteoporosis, the pharmacological association of multiple medicinal plants could improve patient response. The aim of the present study is to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the protective effects of a natural formula containing lactoferrin 12%, Equisetum arvensis ES 54%, soy isoflavones 34% and vitamin D3 0.002%, in PBMC and C2C12 cells and in the bone matrix of young (3-month-old) and aged (12-month-old) female Sprague-Dawley rats, following chronic (21 days) administration. In this context, we assayed the activities of several inflammation and bone homeostasis mediators, such as IL-6, TNFα, PGE2, osteoprotegerin, RANK, RANKL and NFkB. In vitro studies showed that natural formula (5-1000µg/ml) was able to significantly inhibit ROS and PGE2 production. In the same concentration range, the natural formula inhibited both TNFα and IL-6 gene expression. In the in vivo studies, we administered to young and aged female rats the natural formula at 5mg/rat for 21 days, finding a significant reduction in inflammatory PGE2 and NFkB activity. Nevertheless, we observed a significant increase in osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio only in aged rats, compared to the respective control group. In conclusion, our findings corroborate the rational use of natural formula in the prevention and management of osteoporotic disease.


Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Conservadores da Densidade Óssea/farmacologia , Remodelação Óssea/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Biomarcadores/análise , Osso e Ossos/efeitos dos fármacos , Colecalciferol/farmacologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Equisetum , Feminino , Inflamação , Isoflavonas/farmacologia , Lactoferrina/farmacologia , Osteoporose/complicações , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley
10.
Biomed Res Int ; 2014: 980429, 2014.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24895638

RESUMO

AIMS: We evaluated the links between leptin and visfatin levels and fertilization rates in nonoverweight (NOW) women with PCOS (NOW-PCOS) from Apulia undergoing in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF). MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: We recruited 16 NOW women with PCOS (NOW-PCOS) and 10 normally ovulating NOW women (control-NOW). All women underwent IVF. Androgens, 17- ß -estradiol (17 ß -E2), and insulin levels were measured in plasma and/or serum and leptin and visfatin levels were assayed in both serum and follicular fluid (FF-leptin, FF-visfatin). RESULTS: In NOW-PCOS, both serum and FF-leptin were significantly lower than in control-NOW. In NOW-PCOS, significant correlations were found between BMI and serum leptin and insulinemia and FF-leptin. By contrast, in control-NOW, FF-leptin levels were not correlated with insulinemia. Serum visfatin levels were not significantly different in NOW-PCOS and control-NOW, but FF-visfatin levels were 1.6-fold higher, although not significantly, in NOW-PCOS than in control-NOW. CONCLUSIONS: Both serum leptin levels and FF-leptin are BMI- and insulin-related in Southern Italian NOW-PCOS from Apulia. In line with other reports showing that FF-leptin levels are predictive of fertilization rates, lower than normal FF-leptin levels in NOW-PCOS may explain their lower fertilization rate and this may be related to the level of insulin and/or insulin resistance.


Assuntos
Líquido Folicular/metabolismo , Insulina/sangue , Leptina/metabolismo , Síndrome do Ovário Policístico/sangue , Adulto , Índice de Massa Corporal , Feminino , Humanos , Leptina/sangue , Indução da Ovulação
11.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 28(4): 775-82, 2014.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25620186

RESUMO

Imoviral™ is a natural product formulation containing a mixture of uncaria, shiitake and ribes extracts. All ingredients are recognized as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent and immunomodulant. In order to evaluate the rational basis of extract mixture as immunomodulatory agent, we tested the effect of Imoviral™ formulation on macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced stress. The effect was evaluated as variation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and as cytokine gene expression. The extract did not affect cell viability up to 250 µg/ml. Treatment with extract (10-150 µg/ml) reduced ROS and PGE2 production as well as IL-8 and TNF-α gene expression. A pre-treatment with extract blunted LPS-induced production of ROS and PGE2, markers of oxidative and inflammatory stress, as well as the gene expression of all cytokines tested, indicators, in vitro, of immune response activation. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Imoviral™ formulation could be a useful tool to modulate the immune function, reducing the oxidative and inflammatory markers related to bacterial attack. Experimental data suggest that Imoviral™ extract mixture could also represent a preventive pharmacological strategy to enhance cell resistance to bacterial infections.


Assuntos
Unha-de-Gato , Citocinas/genética , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Ribes , Cogumelos Shiitake , beta-Glucanas/farmacologia , Humanos , Macrófagos/imunologia , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo , Células U937
12.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 26(2): 295-302, 2012.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22824756

RESUMO

Visfatin, also known as pre-B cell colony enhancing factor (PBEF) or nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), is a cytokine that is produced by adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, liver and immune cells. We studied the effects of visfatin/PBEF/NAMPT on feeding behavior, hypothalamic steady state concentrations of aminergic neurotransmitters and hypothalamic mRNA levels of anorexigenic peptides, such as cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and orexigenic peptides, such as agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Forty-eight rats were injected in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus with either saline or visfatin/PBEF/NAMPT (3 microg). Food intake was recorded 1, 2 and 24 h following injection, and either dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) or peptide gene expression were evaluated 2 and 24 h after visfatin/PBEF/NAMPT administration. Compared to vehicle, visfatin/PBEF/NAMPT significantly increased food intake, as evaluated 1, 2 and 24 h post-injection. Visfatin/PBEF/NAMPT treatment led to a significant decrease of DA steady state concentration, CART and CRH mRNA levels. Consequently, visfatin/PBEF/NAMPT could play an orexigenic role in the ARC, and the effect could be mediated by modulation of DA, CART and CRH activity in the hypothalamus.


Assuntos
Comportamento Alimentar/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipotálamo/fisiologia , Neurotransmissores/fisiologia , Nicotinamida Fosforribosiltransferase/farmacologia , Proteína Relacionada com Agouti/fisiologia , Animais , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/fisiologia , Hormônio Liberador da Corticotropina/fisiologia , Dopamina/fisiologia , Hipotálamo/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/fisiologia , Pró-Opiomelanocortina/fisiologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar
13.
Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol ; 25(1): 157-63, 2012.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22507328

RESUMO

The aim of this work is to verify a correlation between the grade of inflammation and the concentration of PGE2 in human dental pulp. A total of 25 human dental pulps were examined by histological analysis and radioimmunologic dosage of PGE2. The pulps used in this experiment were from healthy and symptomatic teeth; the first ones were collected from teeth destined to be extracted for orthodontic reasons. An increase was observed of PGE2 in reversible pulpitis compared with healthy pulps and with the irreversible pulpitis and the clear decrease of these when NSAIDs are taken. This study demonstrates that PGE2 level is correlated to histological analysis thus allowing to distinguish symptomatic teeth in reversible and irreversible pulpitis.


Assuntos
Polpa Dentária/química , Dinoprostona/análise , Pulpite/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pulpite/metabolismo , Pulpite/patologia
14.
Minerva Med ; 103(1): 13-21, 2012 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22278065

RESUMO

AIM: Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of phytocomplexes of Uncaria, Shiitake and Ribes in terms of viability and inflammatory response on immune cell-derived cultures. METHODS: Standardized extracts of Uncaria, Shitake and Ribes and their commercial formulation were tested on cell lines PBMC, U937 and macrophage. The activity was evaluated in terms of cell viability (MTT test), variations of oxidative marker release (ROS and PGE2) and modulatory effects on immune response (gene expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα, RT-PCR). RESULTS: Cell viability was not affected by extracts, except subtle variations observed only at higher doses (>250 µg/mL). The extract mixture was well tolerated, with no effects on cell viability up to doses of 500 µg/mL. Pre-treatment of macrophages with subtoxic doses of the extracts reduced the basal release of oxidative markers and enhanced the cell response to exogenous oxidant stimulation, as revealed by ROS and PGE2 release reduction. The same treatment on macrophage resulted in a selective modulation of the immune response, as shown by an increase of IL-6 mRNA and, partially, IL-8 mRNA, while a reduction was observed for TNFα mRNA. CONCLUSION: Data confirm that extracts and their formulations can act as regulator of the immune system with mechanisms involving the oxidative stress and the release of selected proinflammatory cytokines.


Assuntos
Citocinas/metabolismo , Sistema Imunitário/efeitos dos fármacos , Fitoterapia/métodos , Preparações de Plantas/farmacologia , Ribes , Cogumelos Shiitake , Uncaria , Linhagem Celular , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/imunologia , Citocinas/genética , Dinoprostona/metabolismo , Combinação de Medicamentos , Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Expressão Gênica/imunologia , Humanos , Sistema Imunitário/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/genética , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Interleucina-8/genética , Interleucina-8/metabolismo , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos/imunologia , Estresse Oxidativo/imunologia , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos da radiação , Preparações de Plantas/química , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Ribes/química , Cogumelos Shiitake/química , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Células U937/efeitos dos fármacos , Células U937/imunologia , Uncaria/química
15.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 35(7): 629-33, 2012 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21897113

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: A low glycemic index (LGI) diet has been proposed as a treatment for obesity in adults; few studies have evaluated LGI diets in obese children. AIM: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of two diets, with similar energy intakes, but different glycemic indexes in a pediatric outpatient setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A parallel- group, randomized controlled trial was conducted, and 22 obese outpatient children with a body mass index (BMI) Z-score >2 (11 females and 11 males, BMI 28.9±2.9 kg/m²) were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to a hypocaloric LGI (GI:60), or to a hypocaloric high glycemic index (HGI) diet (GI:90). The LGI and HGI diets were almost equivalent for macronutrient composition. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS: In both groups there were significant decreases in BMI, BMI Z-score, blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Only LGI diets produced a significant decrease in waist circumference and homeostasis model assessment. Analysis of variance demonstrated that the BMI Z-score decrease from baseline values was significantly greater after the LGI diet than after the HGI diet [-0.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.29 to -0.10) vs -0.34 (95%CI -0.43 to -0.24)], mean difference between groups -0.14 (95%CI -0.27 to -0.01), p<0.05). Changes in triglyceride concentrations were significantly lower in LGI as compared to HGI diet (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a hypocaloric LGI diet has beneficial metabolic effects in comparison to a hypocaloric HGI diet in obese children.


Assuntos
Dieta Redutora , Índice Glicêmico , Resistência à Insulina , Obesidade/tratamento farmacológico , Obesidade/metabolismo , Adolescente , Índice de Massa Corporal , Proteína C-Reativa/análise , Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Criança , Ciências da Nutrição Infantil/educação , Feminino , Humanos , Hipertrigliceridemia/etiologia , Hipertrigliceridemia/prevenção & controle , Itália/epidemiologia , Masculino , Obesidade/imunologia , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Pais , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto , Fatores de Risco , Triglicerídeos/sangue , Circunferência da Cintura
16.
Mol Pharm ; 8(6): 2408-15, 2011 Dec 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22014118

RESUMO

During chronic treatment with L-dopa (LD), Parkinsonian patients often experience uncontrolled motor complications due to fluctuations of the plasmatic levels of LD that result in pulsatile dopaminergic stimulation. To overcome these plasmatic fluctuations, a novel prodrug of LD, L-dopa-α-lipoic acid (LD-LA), has been proposed as a tool for achieving continuous dopaminergic stimulation. Due to slower susceptibility toward enzymatic conversion by LD-degrading enzymes (such as catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase), the plasma half-life of this prodrug is longer than that of LD. Moreover, the higher lipophilicity of LD-LA over LD promotes its delivery to the CNS, where the resulting levels of dopamine (DA) are kept high for a longer time than after equimolar administration of LD. To further reduce fluctuations in plasma levels of LD, LD-LA has been entrapped into biodegradable polymeric microspheres to be used as a depot system with the aim to prevent prodrug degradation and to obtain a sustained release of the intact compound. In the present work, a formulation of LD-LA loaded microspheres (characterized for drug loading, size, morphology, thermal properties, and in vitro prodrug release) has been administered subcutaneously to rats, and the resulting levels of LD and DA in plasma and striatal tissue, respectively, have been monitored. A good correlation between the in vitro release kinetics and the time range during which the formulation alters the LD/DA tissue levels in vivo was observed, suggesting that the polymeric microsphere matrix protects the loaded prodrug from chemical and enzymatic degradation and controls its release. Interestingly, LD-LA microspheres provided sustained levels of DA neurotransmitter in the striatum nucleus for up to 4 days after a single administration. In conclusion, a polymeric microsphere formulation of LD-LA is an attractive medicine for treating Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms, avoiding motor complications.


Assuntos
Antiparkinsonianos/farmacocinética , Ácido Láctico/química , Microesferas , Ácido Poliglicólico/química , Pró-Fármacos/farmacocinética , Ácido Tióctico/farmacocinética , Implantes Absorvíveis , Animais , Antiparkinsonianos/química , Preparações de Ação Retardada , Levodopa/química , Levodopa/farmacocinética , Masculino , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico , Pró-Fármacos/química , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Ácido Tióctico/química
17.
Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol ; 24(2): 481-8, 2011.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21658322

RESUMO

There is increasing evidence that autoimmune phenomena, including auto-antibody production, may affect fertility in women with endometriosis. The aims of this study are to evaluate anti-laminin-1 antibody (aLN-1) presence in sera and in follicular fluids (FF) of women with endometriosis undergoing IVF and its impact on oocyte maturation and IVF outcome. aLN-1 were measured by a home-made enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in sera and FF obtained from 35 infertile women with endometriosis and in sera from 50 fertile controls and 27 infertile women without endometriosis (IWWE). aLN-1 serum levels were significantly higher in women with endometriosis in comparison with both fertile controls and IWWE (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively) and a positive correlation was found between serum- and FF-aLN-1 (r=0.47, P=0.004). According to the cut-off (mean+3 SD of fertile controls), 31% of women with endometriosis were aLN-1 positive. Metaphase II oocyte counts showed inverse correlation with FF-aLN-1 levels (r=-0.549, P=0.0006). Ongoing pregnancy (i.e pregnancy progressing beyond the 12th week of gestation) occurred in 4/11 aLN-1 positive patients and in 7/24 aLN-1 negative with no significant difference (P=0.7). In conclusion, our results highlight that aLN-1 are increased in women with endometriosis and their presence in FF may affect oocyte maturation leading to a reduced fertility. However, aLN-1 seem to have no effect on IVF outcome.


Assuntos
Autoanticorpos/sangue , Endometriose/complicações , Fertilidade , Fertilização In Vitro , Líquido Folicular/imunologia , Infertilidade Feminina/terapia , Laminina/imunologia , Adulto , Análise de Variância , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Endometriose/imunologia , Endometriose/fisiopatologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Idade Gestacional , Humanos , Infertilidade Feminina/etiologia , Infertilidade Feminina/imunologia , Infertilidade Feminina/fisiopatologia , Itália , Recuperação de Oócitos , Indução da Ovulação , Gravidez , Taxa de Gravidez , Injeções de Esperma Intracitoplásmicas
18.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 25(1): 71-6, 2011.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21382275

RESUMO

Recent studies underscore the importance of oxygen supply in bladder cancer. Tumour growth stimulates the production of vasoactive factors to increase oxygen delivery to tissues by vasodilatation. Any vasoconstrictor mediator could impair this vasodilatation reducing the oxygen supply. 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha is a potent vasoconstrictor agent. The aim of this work is to determine 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha release in healthy bladder mucosa and in superficial bladder cancer in order to investigate a pathophysiological vasoconstrictor answer of the superficial bladder cancer. The study was conducted on a sample of 12 patients; for every subject studied 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha release was assayed in healthy bladder mucosa and in superficial bladder tumour. 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha release was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) in superficial bladder cancer compared with healthy bladder mucosa. The inhibition of the production of a powerful vasoconstrictor such as 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha in the vascular homeostatic mechanism of bladder cancer can represent a response of the tumor tending to contrast an antagonist effect of vasodilatation and the necessary to support the oxygen supply.


Assuntos
Dinoprosta/análogos & derivados , Consumo de Oxigênio , Neoplasias da Bexiga Urinária/metabolismo , Bexiga Urinária/metabolismo , Vasoconstritores/metabolismo , Dinoprosta/biossíntese , Dinoprosta/farmacologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Mucosa/metabolismo , Mucosa/patologia , Células Tumorais Cultivadas , Bexiga Urinária/patologia , Neoplasias da Bexiga Urinária/patologia , Vasoconstritores/farmacologia , Vasodilatação/efeitos dos fármacos
19.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 24(4): 441-6, 2010.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21122283

RESUMO

Resveratrol (3,5,4-trihydroxystilbene), a viniferin polyphenolic compound, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and we tested its possible antioxidant activity in young and aged rat brain, evaluating, in vitro, synaptosomal 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2alpha) production as a marker of oxidative stress. We found that in young rat brain synaptosomes resveratrol perfusion had no effect on basal 8-iso-PGF2alpha production, but quenched to basal levels the increased 8-iso-PGF2alpha production induced by hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, in aged rats, resveratrol was able to decrease 8-iso-PGF2alpha production both basally and after hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stimulus. In conclusion, our findings show that the antioxidant effects of resveratrol in rat brain could play a neuroprotective role in aging, when the increased burden of oxidative stress is faced by defective antioxidant mechanisms.


Assuntos
Envelhecimento/metabolismo , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Isoprostanos/biossíntese , Estilbenos/farmacologia , Animais , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Dinoprosta/análogos & derivados , Dinoprosta/biossíntese , Peróxido de Hidrogênio/toxicidade , Masculino , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Resveratrol , Sinaptossomos/efeitos dos fármacos , Sinaptossomos/metabolismo
20.
Andrologia ; 42(2): 121-6, 2010 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20384803

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C (HCV) and B (HBV) virus infection on semen parameters. Semen samples were obtained from 27 HCV, 34 HIV, 30 HBV and 41 HCV-HIV-seropositive patients and compared with those of a control population of healthy seronegative subjects. Tests for detection of HIV, HCV and HBV were performed on seminal samples. The sperm concentration was significantly decreased in HCV- and HBV-seropositive males compared to that of controls (P < 0.001). The mean sperm motility (a + b) was significantly decreased in HCV- and HBV-seropositive (P < 0.001) and in HCV-HIV-seropositive subjects (P < 0.05) compared to that of controls. The sperm viability was significantly lower in HCV- and HBV-seropositive men than in controls (P < 0.001). The normal morphology was significantly reduced in HCV-seropositive and HBV-seropositive men (P < 0.05) with respect to that of controls (P < 0.05). The sperm concentration after sperm wash was significantly higher in controls than in HCV-, HIV-, HBV- and HIV-HCV-seropositive men (P < 0.001). We can conclude that HBV- and HCV-infected men have a significantly impaired sperm quality compared with that of controls. The reason for the better sperm quality in our series of HIV- and HCV-HIV-infected men is still under debate. Further investigations in a larger case series are warranted.


Assuntos
Infecções por HIV/fisiopatologia , Hepatite B Crônica/fisiopatologia , Hepatite C Crônica/fisiopatologia , Análise do Sêmen , Adulto , Sobrevivência Celular , Humanos , Masculino , Sêmen/virologia , Contagem de Espermatozoides , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides , Carga Viral
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