21 research outputs found
Plasma levels of coenzyme Q10, vitamin E and lipids in uremic patients on conservative therapy and hemodialysis treatment: Some possible biochemical and clinical implications
No full textCoenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)), vitamin E, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (HDLC) and triglycerides were measured in the plasma of 62 patients with kidney failure, 46 under hemodialysis treatment and 16 under conservative therapy, and 95 controls. The sum of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-C) was also calculated for each patient. The ratio CoQ(10)/LDL-C+VLDL-C in both conservative therapy and hemodialysis populations was significantly lower (P<0.001) compared with normal controls and remained unchanged after the dialysis treatment. On the contrary the ratio vitamin E/LDL-C+VLDL-C was normal but decreased significantly (P<0.02) after each dialysis. Since coenzyme Q is the main inhibitor of the prooxidant action of vitamin E, it was hypothesized that its decrease in both the populations examined could make the lipoproteins of these patients more vulnerable to a peroxidative attack
Dynamic Historical Analysis of Longer Term Migratory, Labour Market and Human Capital Processes in Italy
No full textBody cell mass measured by bioelectrical impedence spectroscopy in professional football (soccer) players
No full textAim. The aim of this study was to measure body cell mass (BCM) in two football (soccer) teams and assess if there are differences in body composition among players of different field positions.
Methods. Two professional Italian (male) football teams, rep¬resenting two different divisions (A and C), have been recruit¬ed. There were 14 players (4 forwards, 4 defenders, 6 mid¬fielders) in A and 18 players (4 forwards, 4 defenders, 8 mid¬fielders, 2 goalkeepers) in C. Fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), percent body fat (%BF), and BCM have been assessed using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS).
Results. There were no significant differences in age, body weight, height or body mass index between teams. Team A's BCM was approximately 4kg greater than C (P=O.Ol). FFM was significantly greater in midfielders and defenders in A vs C (P=O.02). FFM was significantly lower in forwards compared to defenders within A (P=O.02). Within A, FM and % BF were significantly lower for defenders compared to forwards and midfielders (P=O.OI), and BCM was significantly greater in forwards vs defenders (P=O.OI), with no significant differences among other field positions. BCM was significantly greater in forwards vs midfielders and defenders within C (P=O.02), with no significant differences between midfielders and defenders. Conclusions. BCM, measured using BIS, represents an innov¬ative, simple approach to assess body composition. The pre¬sent study demonstrates that it is very important to analyze body composition in football players, not only with the aim to evaluate the variation of weight in a quantitative and qualita¬tive way, but also with the purpose of selecting players for spe¬cific roles. Although these results must be considered not yet conclusive, they could be an important information for coaches, especially during selection of young football players
A slightly suppressive dose of L-thyroxine does not effect bone turnover and bone mineral density in pre- and postmenopausal women with nontoxix goitre.
No full textThere are controversial reports on the potential role of L-thyroxine administration as a risk factor for osteoporosis. We studied bone mass and metabolism in a homogeneous series of 50 Caucasian women, 25 premenopausal and 25 postmenopausal, having nontoxic goitre treated with slightly suppressive L-thyroxine doses (50-200 micrograms/day) with subnormal serum TSH and normal thyroid hormone levels. These patients were matched with 50 controls for age, sex, body mass index, menopausal and thyroid disease. Patients and controls were also investigated for minor determinants of bone loss, such as hereditary and life-style factors. Patients and controls filled in a questionnaire and underwent physical examination, routine laboratory tests and calciotropic and thyroid hormone assay. Bone mineral turnover was evaluated by determining serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, calcium, phosphate, urine hydroxyproline/creatinine and calcium/ creatinine ratio. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle. No difference in bone mineral density or biochemical markers was found between patients and controls; bone density and turnover were significantly affected by menopausal status. No relationship between bone density or turnover values and L-thyroxine administration was found. A significant positive correlation was found between osteocalcin and the hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients, but not in controls. Our study suggests that slightly suppressive L-thyroxine administration in nontoxic goitre can activate bone turnover but constitutes neither an actual risk factor for bone loss nor, consequently, for osteoporotic fractures
Influences of Different Air-Inhibition Coatings on Monomer Release, Microhardness, and Color Stability of Two Composite Materials
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light-curing protocols on two modern resin composites using different air-inhibition coating strategies. This was accomplished by assessing the amount of monomer elution, surface microhardness, and composite discoloration in different storage conditions. A total of 120 specimens were prepared using Filtek Supreme XTE (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) and CeramX Universal (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany). Specimens were light-cured in air as per manufacturer's instructions or in the absence of oxygen. This latter condition was achieved using three different approaches: (i) transparent polyester strip; (ii) glycerin; (iii) argon gas. Specimens were assessed for release of monomers, Vickers hardness, and discoloration after storage in different solutions. The results were analyzed with ANOVA one-way test followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Moreover, multiple comparisons of means were performed using the Student t-test (p<0.05). The amount of monomers released from the tested specimens was very low in all conditions. The presence of oxygen induced some decrease in microhardness. The highest discoloration values, for both materials, were obtained after ageing in red wine. In case finish and polish procedures are awkward to achieve in posteriors composite restoration, light-curing in the absence of oxygen should be considered, especially when performing composite restoration in esthetic areas
Effects of Dental Methacrylates on Oxygen Consumption and Redox Status of Human Pulp Cells
No full textSeveral studies have already demonstrated that the incomplete polymerization of resin-based dental materials causes the release of monomers which might affect cell metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, urethane dimethacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate on (1) cellular energy metabolism, evaluating oxygen consumption rate, glucose consumption, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and lactate production, and (2) cellular redox status, through the evaluation of glutathione concentration and of the activities of enzymes regulating glutathione metabolism. Methods. Human pulp cells were used and oxygen consumption was measured by means of a Clark electrode. Moreover, reactive oxygen species production was quantified. Enzymatic activity and glucose and lactate concentrations were determined through a specific kit. Results. Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate induced a decrease in oxygen consumption rate, an enhancement of glucose consumption, and lactate production, whilst glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase activity were not significantly modified. Moreover, the monomers induced an increase of reactive oxygen species production with a consequent increase of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymatic activities. A depletion of both reduced and total glutathione was also observed. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate that dental monomers might alter energy metabolism and glutathione redox balance in human pulp cells
Erythrocyte glutathione transferase: a new biomarker in chronic kidney diseases which correlates with plasma homocysteine
No full textAbstract Homocystein (Hcy) is an important cardiovascular risk factor and it is present at high concentrations in more than 90% uremic patients. Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of enzymes involved in cell detoxification. Previous studies reported an increased expression of erythrocyte glutathione transferase (e-GST) in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). We re-evaluated the e-GST levels in 62 MHD patients, 50 controls and studied the correlation between this enzyme and the plasma homocysteine (Hcy). A new automated procedure for GST activity, validated by intra-assay and inter-assay measurements and by recovery experiments, showed a significant increase of e-GST activity. No correlation has been found between e-GST activity and hemoglobin, transferrin, sideremia and markers of systemic inflammation. For the first time a significant correlation was observed between increased plasma Hcy levels and e-GST activity (P < 0.0001) in MHD patients (Tab 1). The correlation between the increased level of e-GST and plasmatic Hcy concentration in MHD patients is of particular interest: plasma hyperhomocysteinemia in fact, is considered a cardiovascular risk factor and it is often associated to renal failure (van Guldener 2006). The autoxidation of this sulfur-containing amino acid produces hydrogen peroxide and high levels of Hcy reduces the bioavailability of nitric oxide forming S-nitrosohomocysteine and inhibiting NOS. Increased levels of e-GST are certainly the effect (and not the cause) of an increased cell toxicity. Thus, the correlation found in the present study between hyperhomocysteinemia and e-GST indicates that high levels of Hcy may be merely a consequence of high levels of circulating toxins. Whatever the primary cause(s) of increased levels of e-GST and Hcy in MHD patients, the present findings suggest that e-GST could be a good marker for toxin exposition and its determination may fulfill a useful probe to assess the efficiency of dialytic procedures in MHD patients. The e-GST activity could be a new biomarker useful to substitute or to be complementary to the time consuming and expensive Hcy determination in MHD patients
Evaluation of the antiproliferative effect of 18β -Glycyrrhetinic acid-loaded nanoparticles for treatment of drug-induced gingival overgrowth.
No full textIntroduction. Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO) is an oral disease that is detrimental to oral function and facial appearance; among them antiepileptics (i.e valproic acid) can increase the number of fibroblasts within gingival tissues (1). 18-β Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) (a compound derived from liquorice) inhibits cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis (2), and it has been demonstrated that could be used to treat Human Gingival Fibroblasts (HGFs) derived from DIGO patients (3). The aim of our study is to develop a delivery system able to provide a controlled release of GA in HGFs in vitro. For this purpose, we have selected polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance in situ release of GA, overcoming its poor solubility.
Materials and Methods. Preparation of drug-loaded NPs: GA-loaded Poly-d,l-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) NPs were produced by using a one-step osmosis based methodology (patent Sapienza University n° RM2004A000555) and were successively coated with chitosane (CS) (4). Drug loading evaluation: The drug content of GA-loaded NPs was measured using a spectrophotometric method. NPs were dissolved in chloroform and the drug concentration was determined by measuring the absorbance of the solution at λ= 246 nm. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) Analysis: DLS experiments were carried out with a Zetasizer Nano S (Malvern Instruments, Malvern, U.K.) equipped with a 4 mW He-Ne laser (633 nm). Peak intensity analysis was used to determine the average hydrodynamic radius of the scattering particles. All samples were prepared at 0.1 mg/mL in filtered PBS. Isolation and culture of HGFs: Cells were obtained (with informed consent) from patients subjected to gingivectomy of the molar region. The specimens were plated in tissue culture flasks with complete DMEM, at 37°C, 5% CO2 atmosphere. The HGFs were used before the fifth passage. Cytotoxic Assay: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was used to determine the GA concentration value able to provoke cytotoxicity. Statistical Analysis: Data were expressed as mean ± SD. Analysis was performed by ANOVA, p<0.05 was assumed significant.
Results. The mean diameters of NPs was 200 nm with a GA content value of 26 μg/mg PLGA. No cytotoxic effect was observed in the presence of NPs. The toxic effect of GA was observed at concentration values higher than 100 μmol/L.
Conclusions. Such formulations seem very promising for reducing cell proliferation in vitro, even if further studies will be needed to determine the concentrations of GA able to reduce the proliferation of HGFs derived from patients with DIGO pathology
