1,721,061 research outputs found
Oxidative stress, F2 -isoprostanes and endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia
No full textReview article, abstract not availabl
Relation between lipid peroxidation and vascular nitric oxide production in endurance athletes and hypercholesterolaemic patients before and during atorvastatin therapy
No full textHunting behavior of Late Neanderthals in the North-east of Italy. Results from zooarchaeological analysis of unit II assemblage of Grotta Maggiore di San Bernardino (Berici Hills, Vicenza).
No full textGrotta Maggiore di San Bernardino is located in the Berici Hills, in northeastern Italy, at about 135
m above sea level. The cavity was subject of systematic excavations carried out by the University
of Ferrara in 1959-1964 and between 1986-1993. Field investigations explored a stratigraphic series
of about 4 m thickness, which includes 8 main units dating from MIS 7 to MIS 3.
The focus of this work is the zooarchaelogical analysis of Unit II (MIS3). It records an intense
human occupation attested by hearths, temperate type associated faunal remains and
Mousterian lithic implements.
Bone assemblage shows a prevalence of medium and large sized ungulates: the most frequent
species are roe deer, red deer, wild boar, moose and giant deer, followed by bovids and caprids.
Carnivores are less numerous, represented by different species and the cave bear is the most
represented. Were recovered also rhinoceros and beaver remains. The presence of Castor fiber
together with waterfowl (duck, geese) and fishes indicates the existence of humid environments
and watercourses in the surroundings.
Bone taphonomy has identified high incidence of burned remains and of anthropic actions
ascribable to different stages of the butchering process like skinning, dismembering and
filleting. Several fragmentary bone shafts show typical stigmata due to their use as retouchers
for flint tools.
As Faunal assemblages similar to Grotta San Bernardino unit II can be observed in the
Mousterian levels of other sites of the Berici Hills (Grotta di Paina, Grotta del Col della Stria,
Grotta de Nadale) and Lessini Mountains (Grotta di Fumane, Riparo Tagliente).
Grotta di San Bernardino represents a further case of Neanderthal behavior in terms
of subsistence. Additional faunal analyses, will cast new light on the site and clarify its
relationship with the territory, the organization of the site itself, the activities, the hunting
areas and the chronology of the occupation
Relationship between triiodothyronine and proinflammatory cytokines in chronic heart failure
No full textCytokines and thyroid hormones are involved in the biochemical changes associated to heart failure (HF).
AIM: Aims of the study were to investigate: plasma circulating levels of the cytokines Interleukine-6 (IL-6) TNF alpha and C reactive protein (CRP) in patients with stable HF in relation to the severity of left ventricular dysfunction; the relationship between these inflammatory markers and thyroid hormones.
METHODS: One-hundred and sixty-six patients (121 males, age 64+/-12), with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, were admitted to the Institute of Clinical Physiology for progressive deterioration of symptoms. Forty-eight healthy subjects (30 males, age range 26-75 years) were also enrolled as control group (Group N). High sensitivity (hs)-IL-6 and hs-TNFalpha were quantified using solid phase sandwich ELISA kits. Hs-CRP was measured by Immulite System.
RESULTS: In the whole population (HF and N), the association between inflammatory markers and age resulted statistically significant only for IL-6 serum concentration (p35% and EF<35%, we clearly observed the progressive enhancement of the inflammatory markers. Considering normal subjects, patients without and with low T3 syndrome, IL-6 and TNFalpha increased progressively from normal to patients with fT3<2 pg/ml (p<0.01 and p<0.01) while CRP only respect to the group with low T3 syndrome (p<0.01). The inflammatory markers were all inversely correlated with FT3 levels.
CONCLUSION: Because low FT3 serum concentration represents a negative prognostic index, it is likely that impairment of T3 production and enhanced inflammation represent pathogenic mechanisms linked to HF progression
Protective effects of plicatin B on micronucleus induction in cultured human lymphocytes by different mutagens
No full textAmong flavonoids, chalcones have been identified as interesting compounds having antioxidant, antimutagenic and antitumour properties. In this study we have evaluated the clastogenicity of plicatin B on human lymphocytes (whole blood and isolated lymphocytes) and its anticlastogenic activity, in the same cellular systems, using mitomycin C (MMC), radio-mimetic bleomycin (BL) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as reference clastogens. Plicatin B per se resulted cytotoxic at high dose but non-clastogenic. The clastogenic effects induced by MMC and BL were significantly reduced (-33%) whereas with H2O2 the protective effect of plicatin B was observed (-62%) only at the greater H2O2 dose. The anticlastogen effects of plicatin B were effective when the chalcone was introduced in the culture, 1 h before the reference clastogens
Role of thromboxane A(2) receptor on the effects of oxidized LDL on microvascular endothelium nitric oxide, endothelin-1, and IL-6 production
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to determine to what extent thromboxane A(2) (TP) receptor mediates the effect of oxidated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) on nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) release by microvascular endothelial cells.
Methods: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitrites and nitrates (NO(2)/NO(3)), ET-1, and IL-6 production were measured following human microvascular endothelial cell 1 exposure to isoprostane-8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) (F2IP), a natural agonist of the TP receptor present in oxidized LDL, or native, low-, or medium-oxidized LDL either with the TP-receptor blocker, SQ29.548, or its vehicle.
Results: F(2)IP and both native and oxidized LDL enhanced NO(2)/NO(3). F(2)IP through the TP receptor stimulated eNOS (eight-fold), while the oxidized LDL effect (two-to five-fold) was only partially prevented by SQ29.548. While LDL concentration and degree of oxidation synergistically and independent of SQ29.548 stimulated IL-6, F(2)IP had no effect. F(2)IP induced a modest (+50%) increase in ET-1. LDL, independent of concentration or degree of oxidation, stimulated (+120%) ET-1 production, and this effect was only partially attenuated by SQ29.548.
Conclusions: In microvascular endothelial cells, LDL concentration and degree of oxidation synergistically stimulate NO and IL-6 production, but only NO release is largely mediated by the TP receptor. LDL facilitates ET-1 release independent of concentration and degree of oxidation; TP-receptor stimulation is only partially responsible for this effect
Encapsulation of bioactive fermented wheat (Lisosan G) in Eudragit-liposomes
Full text linkLiposomes are one of the most studied and most promising nanocarriers to date, representing a biocompatible, safe, and efficient delivery system for both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy in encapsulating an aqueous extract of Lisosan G (LG), a Triticum aestivum whole grains fermented powder with strong antioxidant activity, into Eudragit-liposomes designed for oral delivery. The total phenolics and the antioxidant activity of LG extract and LG extract encapsulated in Eudragit-liposomes were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH, and FRAP colorimetric assays. Finally, the biological activity of both LG formulations was assessed as human erythrocytes protection from oxidative stress through the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay. Our results demonstrate that the encapsulation into Eudragit-liposomes preserved the phenolics content of LG extract and retained its antioxidant properties both in vitro and ex vivo. Furthermore, LG Eudragit-liposomes exhibited increased ferric reducing capacity and protection of human erythrocytes from oxidative insult, probably due to the antioxidant properties of liposome constituents. Therefore, the encapsulation into Eudragit-liposomes represents an excellent strategy to prevent possible reduction and loss of activity of LG bioactive compounds, and to deliver them via oral administration
α-1 Protein evaluation to stratify heart failure patients.
No full textHeart failure is a pathological condition characterized by cardiac dysfunction and neuroendocrine system activation. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum ??-1 proteins in the characterization of heart failure patients. The study included 69 patients with documented heart failure disease and 44 healthy individuals. We included 12 out of 69 patients with preserved (>50%) left ventricular ejection fraction. ??-1 protein levels were evaluated using routine capillary electrophoresis. Markers of inflammation, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-??, were measured with UltraSensitive ELISA Kits. C-reactive protein and brain natriuretic peptide were determined by automated assays. No difference in ??-1 protein levels between patients with reduced versus preserved left ventricular ejection fraction was observed. IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-??, and C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly increased in patients with respect to the control group (P???<0.001, P???<0.01, and P???<0.05, respectively). A progressive increase in ??-1 protein levels across NYHA classes (P???=???0.0077) was observed. Brain natriuretic peptide median value of the patient group was 287???ng/l (92-602???ng/l) and was significantly associated with ??-1 proteins and IL-6 levels (P???<0.05 and P???<0.01, respectively). Considering recent findings and our preliminary data, we hypothesized that the overexpression of ??-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein (and probably elevated AAT levels) is a compensatory mechanism as a consequence of the loss of the antiprotease activity, induced by the increase of oxidative stress in heart failure patients. In conclusion, we assume that ??-1 proteins and AAT could contribute to the prognostic stratification of heart failure patients
Hydroperoxides and cytokines as biomarkers in detecting atherosclerosis predisposition in cigarette smokers
No full textObjectives: Smoking increases oxidative modi-fication of LDL, associated with lower HDL plasma levels, systemic inflammatory response and endothelial dysfunction. We tested the hy-pothesis that the risk status for coronary atherosclerosis disease (CAD) of cigarettes smokers might be identified by means of serum oxidative levels and vascular inflammation de-termination. Design and Methods: Oxidative stress levels, cytokines, and the metabolic status were investigated on 499 subjects admit-ted to our institute. The association between biomarkers and smoking habits in the pres-ence/absence of disease and with the number of vessel affected, was studied. Results: Oxidative stress and inflammatory levels (p < 0.001) were strongly induced by smoking habits. Serum values of the subjects categorised as CAD, non CAD and healthy subjects differed significantly (p < 0.001) only for the degree of oxidative stress. Glycaemia was able to affect C-reactive protein serum levels with a positive association (p < 0.05). The analysis of the study population in-dicated that serum oxidative stress levels sig-nificantly increased with increasing number of vessels affected (p < 0.01). When statistical analysis was performed separately in both smoking groups, smokers did not show any particular difference for both oxidative stress and inflammation markers between the two groups of cardiovascular patients (CAD and non CAD) and the control group, while for non smokers, the differences were evident. Conclu-sion: These findings indicate that the consid-ered biomarkers, especially oxidative stress, can be useful to predict the biological damage caused by cigarette smoking, as well as to iden-tify subjects characterised by a higher risk of cardiovascular event, but cannot evaluate the presence of disease in subjects with smoking habit
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