1,721,020 research outputs found
Effect of Manganese Chloride and of Cotreatment with Cadmium Chloride on the In Vitro Proliferative, Motile and Invasive Behavior of MDA-MB231 Breast Cancer Cells
Full text linkWe examined the dose–response effect of MnCl2 on the proliferative behavior of triple-negative breast cancer MDA-M231 cells vs. immortalized HB2 cells from breast epithelium taken as nontumoral counterparts. We also tested the effect of MnCl2 on tumor cell invasiveness in vitro by evaluating the relative invasion indexes through Boyden chamber assays. Moreover, we checked whether cotreatment with both MnCl2 and CdCl2 could modify the observed biological response by MDA-MB231 cells. Our results show a promotional impact of MnCl2 on cell proliferation, with 5 μM concentration inducing the more pronounced increase after 96-h exposure, which is not shared by HB2 cells. Exposure to 5 μM MnCl2 induced also an elevation of the relative invasion index of cancer cells. The Mn-mediated stimulatory effects were counteracted by cotreatment with CdCl2. These data support the concept that human exposure to high environmental concentrations of Mn may increase the risk of carcinogenesis and metastasis by prompting the expansion and dissemination of triple-negative breast cancer cells. On the other hand, the Mn-counteracting anticancer property of Cd looks promising and deserves a more detailed characterization of the involved intracellular targets aimed to the molecular modeling of specific antineoplastic agents against malignant breast cancer spreading
Collective locomotion of human cells, woundh healing and their control by extracts and isolated compounds from marine ivertebrates
Full text linkThe collective migration of cells is a complex integrated process that represents a common theme joining morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and tumor biology. It is known that a remarkable amount of secondary metabolites produced by aquatic invertebrates displays active pharmacological properties against a variety of diseases. The aim of this review is to pick up selected studies that report the extraction and identification of crude extracts or isolated
compounds that exert a modulatory effect on collective cell locomotion and/or skin tissue reconstitution and recapitulate the molecular, biochemical, and/or physiological aspects, where available, which are associated to the substances under examination, grouping the producing species according to their taxonomic hierarchy. Taken all of the collected data into account, marine invertebrates emerge as a still poorly-exploited valuable resource of natural products that may significantly improve the process of skin regeneration and restrain tumor cell migration, as documented by in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, the identification of the most promising invertebrate-derived extracts/molecules for the utilization as new targets for biomedical translation merits further and more detailed investigations
Human Drug Pollution in the Aquatic System: The Biochemical Responses of Danio rerio Adults
Full text linkTo date, drug pollution in aquatic systems is an urgent issue, and Danio rerio is a model
organism to study the toxicological effects of environmental pollutants. The scientific literature has
analyzed the effect of human drug pollution on the biochemical responses in the tissues of D. rerio
adults. However, the information is still scarce and conflicting, making it difficult to understand
its real impact. The scientific studies are not consistent with each other and, until now, no one
has grouped their results to create a baseline of knowledge of the possible impacts. In this review,
the analysis of literature data highlights that the effects of drugs on adult zebrafishes depend on
various factors, such as the tissue analyzed, the drug concentration and the sex of the individuals.
Furthermore, the most influenced biochemical responses concern enzymes (e.g., antioxidants and
hydrolase enzymes) and total protein and hormonal levels. Pinpointing the situation to date would
improve the understanding of the chronic effects of human drug pollution, helping both to reduce it
in the aquatic systems and then to draw up regulations to control this type of pollution
Cell-Free Coelomic Fluid Extracts of the Sea Urchin Arbacia lixula Impair Mitochondrial Potential and Cell Cycle Distribution and Stimulate Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Autophagic Activity in Triple-Negative MDA-MB231 Breast Cancer Cells
Full text linkTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly malignant tumor histotype which lacks
effective targeted therapies, thereby being considered as the most aggressive form of breast
carcinoma. To identify novel compounds which could counteract TNBC cell growth, we explored
the in vitro effects of crude extracts and <10 kDa-filtered fractions of the coelomic fluid obtained
from the sea urchin Arbacia lixula on TNBC MDA-MB231 cells. We examined cell viability, cycle
distribution, apoptotic/autophagic activity, and mitochondrial polarization/cell redox status. Here,
we report the first data demonstrating an anti-TNBC effect by A. lixula-derived coelomic fluid
extracts. Thus, identification of the water-soluble bioactive component(s) contained in the extracts
deserve(s) further investigation aimed to devise novel promising prevention and/or treatment
agents effective against highly malignant breast tumors
EFFECT OF EXTRACTS FROM LEAVES AND RHIZOMES OF THE SEAGRASS POSIDONIA OCEANICA ON HEPG2 HEPATOCARCINOMA (HCC) CELLS
No full textModulation of Glucose Consumption and Uptake in HepG2 Cells by Aqueous Extracts from the Coelomic Fluid of the Edible Holothuria tubulosa Sea Cucumber
Full text linkThe cell-free aqueous extract from the coelomic fluid of Holothuria tubulosa was prepared and examined for its glucose-lowering effect on HepG2 cells in vitro. In particular, employing a combination of cytochemical, flow cytometric, PCR, and protein blot techniques, we evaluated its role on glucose internalization and storage and on the upregulation and surface translocation of the two glucose transporters GLUT-2 and -4. The changes in expression, synthesis, and/or activation of the GLUT2-related transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF1α) and the GLUT-4-translocation regulatory factors insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and AKT were also studied. Our results showed the improved glucose response by HepG2 cells, leading to an evident increase in glucose consumption/uptake and glycogen storage upon exposure. Moreover, the extract induced molecular reprogramming involving the upregulation of (i) IRS1 gene expression, (ii) the transcription and translation levels of HNF1α, AKT, and GLUT-4, (iii) the phosphorylation level of AKT, (iv) the synthesis of GLUT-2 protein, and (v) the translocation of GLUT-2 and -4 transporters onto the plasma membrane. Cumulatively, our results suggest that the coelomic fluid extract from H. tubulosa can be taken into consideration for the development of novel treatment agents against diabetes mellitus
EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS FROM Posidonia oceanica SEAGRASS ON MOUSE MACROPHAGES AND HUMAN BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER
Full text linkAQUEOUS EXTRACTS FROM LEAVES AND RHIZOMES OF THE MARINE SEAGRASS POSIDONIA OCEANICA EXHIBIT ANTI-LIVER CANCER ABILITY IN VITRO
No full textAnthropic impact, bioactive molecules, sustainable development, my keyword? Biodiversity!
No full textBiodiversity is my main research focus and that of my research group. We study a range of different aspects concerning biodiversity, such as the impact anthropic activities have on biodiversity and how to improve its preservation, its use as a valuable resource for the extraction of bioactive molecules, and the study of its distribution. The research group has over twenty years of experience in the study
of zoology, and, more in particular, the immune and behavioural responses of aquatic invertebrates and fish. For many years, the group has observed the effects of various anthropogenic activities, such as the acoustic and chemical impacts on the physiological and behavioral responses of invertebrate organisms, such as Arbacia lixula and Mytilus galloprovincialis, and of fishes, such as Sparus aurata, evaluating not only adult stage but also embryonic stage [1,2]. From a sustainable
development perspective, we have recently turned our attention to an evaluation of the nutritional potential of aquaculture species which are recent additions to farming in Sicily: Cherax quadricarinatus and Cherax destructor [3]. However, biodiversity, as well as needing our protection, is also a resource which we can seek to harness in an eco-sustainable way. In recent years, research in our group has focused on the extraction of bioactive molecules from invertebrates and vertebrate living organisms (including from waste from the processing industry), with evident antimicrobial, anticancer and food preservation potential [4]. Last but not least, the regenerative capacities of invertebrate organisms such as Holothuria tubulosa [5] were evaluated with the possibility of transferring this knowledge to the biomedical sector. In addition to carrying out the aforementioned research, we are currently working on a nationally funded PON research project to conduct a
freshwater biodiversity census in Palermo, including environmental DNA evaluation
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