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Vazan R, Mravec B, Bernatova I, Celarova D, Hnilicova S, Radosinska J. Intake of Dark and Milk Chocolate Differently Affects Autonomic Nervous Control of the Heart During Rest and Mental Stress. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN NUTRITION ASSOCIATION 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38980204 DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2024.2376662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chocolate is a popular food that may affect the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a single dose of dark or milk chocolate on ANS cardiac control during rest and mental stress induced by the Stroop test (ST). METHODS Healthy participants, divided into DARK or MILK chocolate groups, ingested corresponding type of chocolate (1 g/kg body weight). They underwent measurement of ANS during relaxation and ST before and 2 h after chocolate consumption. ANS control was assessed by determination of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability using parameters related to complex autonomic modulation (TP, SDNN) or primary vagal modulation (HFnu, RMSSD). RESULTS HR was always increased during ST in both groups. Relaxation HR values after chocolate ingestion were higher only in the DARK chocolate group. During ST, values of TP, SDNN and HFnu decreased before and after chocolate ingestion in the DARK group, but only before chocolate ingestion in the MILK group. RMSSD values decreased during ST before and after chocolate ingestion in both groups. Relaxation TP, RMSSD and HFnu values after chocolate ingestion were lower in the DARK but not in the MILK group. CONCLUSION The results suggest that even a single dose of milk chocolate attenuates changes in ANS cardiac control induced by mental stress, whereas a single dose of dark chocolate has an activating effect on the heart via modification of ANS cardiac control at rest. Different levels of sugars and cocoa biologically active compounds in the two types of chocolate could explain the observed effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rastislav Vazan
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Mravec
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Iveta Bernatova
- Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Diana Celarova
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Silvia Hnilicova
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Radosinska
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Mainini G, Ercolano S, De Simone R, Iavarone I, Lizza R, Passaro M. Dietary Supplementation of Myo-Inositol, Cocoa Polyphenols, and Soy Isoflavones Improves Vasomotor Symptoms and Metabolic Profile in Menopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome: A Retrospective Clinical Study. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:598. [PMID: 38674244 PMCID: PMC11052504 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hormonal changes physiologically occurring in menopausal women may increase the risk of developing metabolic and vasomotor disturbances, which contribute to increase the risk of developing other concomitant pathologies, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Materials and Methods: Retrospective data from 200 menopausal women with MetS and vasomotor symptoms taking one sachet per day of the dietary supplement INOFOLIC® NRT (Farmares srl, Rome, Italy) were collected. Each sachet consisted of myo-Inositol (2000 mg), cocoa polyphenols (30 mg), and soy isoflavones (80 mg, of which 50 mg is genistin). Patients recorded their symptoms through a medical questionnaire at the beginning of the administration (T0) and after 6 months (T1). Results: We observed an improvement in both the frequency and the severity of hot flushes: increased percentage of 2-3 hot flushes (28 at T0 vs. 65% at T1, p value < 0.001) and decreased percentage of 4-9 hot flushes (54% at T0 vs. 18% at T1, p value < 0.001). Moreover, symptoms of depression improved after supplementation (87% at T0 vs. 56% at T1 of patients reported moderate depression symptoms, p value < 0.001). Regarding metabolic profile, women improved body mass index and waist circumference with a reduction in the percentage of overweight and obesity women (88% at T0 vs. 51% at T1, p value = 0.01; 14% at T0 vs. 9% at T1, p value = 0.04). In addition, the number of women suffering from non-insulin dependent diabetes reduced (26% at T0 vs. 16% at T1, p value = 0.04). Conclusions: These data corroborate previously observed beneficial effects of the oral administration of myo-Inositol, cocoa polyphenols, and soy isoflavones against menopausal symptoms in the study population. Considering the promising results of the present study, further prospective controlled clinical trials are needed to deeply understand and support the efficacy of these natural compounds for the management of menopausal symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampaolo Mainini
- Società Campano Calabro Apulo Lucana di Ginecologia ed Ostetricia (S.C.C.A.L.), 80133 Naples, Italy
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Vyas CM, Manson JE, Sesso HD, Rist PM, Weinberg A, Kim E, Moorthy MV, Cook NR, Okereke OI. Effect of cocoa extract supplementation on cognitive function: results from the clinic subcohort of the COSMOS trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2024; 119:39-48. [PMID: 38070683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some prior randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that tested the effects of cocoa extract (CE), a source of flavanols, on late-life cognition have yielded promising findings. A long-term RCT using in-person neuropsychological tests covering multiple cognitive domains may clarify the cognitive effects of CE. OBJECTIVES To test whether daily supplementation with CE, compared with placebo, produces better cognitive change over 2 y. METHODS The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) is a 2 × 2 factorial RCT of CE [500 mg flavanols/d, including 80 mg (-)-epicatechin] and/or a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement for cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention among 21,442 United States adults aged ≥60 y. There were 573 participants in the clinic subcohort of COSMOS (that is, COSMOS-Clinic) who completed all cognitive tests at baseline; of these, 492 completed 2-y follow-up assessments. The primary outcome was global cognition (averaging z-scores across 11 tests). Secondary outcomes were episodic memory and executive function/attention. Repeated measures models were used to compare randomized groups. RESULTS Participants' mean age (standard deviation) was 69.6 (5.3); 49.2% were females. Daily supplementation with CE, compared with placebo, had no significant effect on 2-y change in global cognition {mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)]: -0.01 (-0.08, 0.05) standard deviation units (SU)}. CE, compared with placebo, had no significant effects on 2-y change in episodic memory [mean difference (95% CI): -0.01 (-0.13, 0.10) SU] or executive function/attention [mean difference (95% CI): 0.003 (-0.07, 0.08) SU]. Subgroup analyses uncorrected for multiple-testing suggested cognitive benefits of CE supplementation, compared with placebo among those with poorer baseline diet quality. CONCLUSIONS Among 573 older adults who underwent repeat in-person, detailed neuropsychological assessments over 2 y, daily CE supplementation, compared with placebo, showed no overall benefits for global or domain-specific cognitive function. Possible cognitive benefits of CE among those with poorer diet quality warrant further study. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov with identifier - NCT02422745.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirag M Vyas
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - JoAnn E Manson
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Howard D Sesso
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pamela M Rist
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alison Weinberg
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eunjung Kim
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - M Vinayaga Moorthy
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nancy R Cook
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Olivia I Okereke
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Bloomfield PM, Fisher JP, Shaw DM, Gant N. Cocoa flavanols protect cognitive function, cerebral oxygenation, and mental fatigue during severe hypoxia. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 135:475-484. [PMID: 37471213 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00219.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that ingestion of cocoa flavanols would improve cognition during acute hypoxia equivalent to 5,500 m altitude (partial pressure of end-tidal oxygen = 45 mmHg). Using placebo-controlled double-blind trials, 12 participants ingested 15 mg·kg-1 of cocoa flavanols 90 min before completing cognitive tasks during normoxia and either poikilocapnic or isocapnic hypoxia (partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide uncontrolled or maintained at the baseline value, respectively). Cerebral oxygenation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Overall cognition was impaired by poikilocapnic hypoxia (main effect of hypoxia, P = 0.008). Cocoa flavanols improved a measure of overall cognitive performance by 4% compared with placebo (effect of flavanols, P = 0.033) during hypoxia, indicating a change in performance from "low average" to "average." The hypoxia-induced decrease in cerebral oxygenation was two-fold greater with placebo than with cocoa flavanols (effect of flavanols, P = 0.005). Subjective fatigue was increased by 900% with placebo compared with flavanols during poikilocapnic hypoxia (effect of flavanols, P = 0.004). Overall cognition was impaired by isocapnic hypoxia (effect of hypoxia, P = 0.001) but was not improved by cocoa flavanols (mean improvement = 1%; effect of flavanols, P = 0.72). Reaction time was impaired by 8% with flavanols during normoxia and further impaired by 11% during isocapnic hypoxia (effect of flavanols, P = 0.01). Our findings are the first to show that flavanol-mediated improvements in cognition and mood during normoxia persist during severe oxygen deprivation, conferring a neuroprotective effect.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show for the first time that cocoa flavanols exert a neuroprotective effect during severe hypoxia. Following acute cocoa flavanol ingestion, we observed improvements in cognition, cerebral oxygenation, and subjective fatigue during normoxia and severe poikilocapnic hypoxia. Cocoa flavanols did not improve cognition during severe isocapnic hypoxia, suggesting a possible interaction with carbon dioxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Bloomfield
- Exercise Neurometabolism Laboratory, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - James P Fisher
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Manaaki Mānawa - The Centre for Heart Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David M Shaw
- Aviation Medicine Unit, Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland, Whenuapai, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicholas Gant
- Exercise Neurometabolism Laboratory, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Rodrigo-Gonzalo MJ, González-Manzano S, Pablos-Hernández MC, Méndez-Sánchez R, Ayuda Duran B, González-Sánchez J, Barbero-Iglesias F, González-Paramás AM, Recio-Rodríguez JI. Effects of a Raisin Supplement on Cognitive Performance, Quality of Life, and Functional Activities in Healthy Older Adults-Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2023; 15:2811. [PMID: 37375715 DOI: 10.3390/nu15122811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of consuming 50 g of raisins on cognitive performance, quality of life, and functional activities in healthy older adults. This is a parallel randomized controlled clinical trial, in which 80 subjects over 70 years of age participated. For 6 months, the intervention group (IG; n = 40) consumed 50 g of raisins per day added to their usual diet, whereas the control group (CG; n = 40) received no supplement. All variables were measured at baseline and at 6 months. Cognitive performance assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test shows a difference of 3.27 points (95% CI 1.59 to 4.96), p ≤ 0.001, favorable to the IG, after the intervention. Among the cognitive performances, an improvement is observed in the IG in orientation, assessed both with the MOCA test 0.49 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.87), p = 0.014, and with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test, 0.36 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.70), p = 0.038. In visuospatial/executive capacity and in language, improvements were also observed in the IG, 1.36 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.95), p = 0.001, and 0.54 points (95% CI 0.12 to 0.96), p = 0.014, respectively. Immediate and delayed recall, assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, improved in the IG. In addition, the IG showed a better quality of life and greater autonomy in instrumental activities of daily living after 6 months. No significant changes were observed in the rest of the variables analyzed. Therefore, the consumption of 50 g of raisins produces a slight improvement in cognitive performance, quality of life, and functional activities in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Rodrigo-Gonzalo
- Grupo de Investigación de Polifenoles (GIP-USAL), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Susana González-Manzano
- Grupo de Investigación de Polifenoles (GIP-USAL), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Grupo de Fisioterapia, Recuperación Funcional y Ejercicio Terapéutico del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Roberto Méndez-Sánchez
- Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Grupo de Fisioterapia, Recuperación Funcional y Ejercicio Terapéutico del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Begoña Ayuda Duran
- Grupo de Investigación de Polifenoles (GIP-USAL), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesús González-Sánchez
- Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Unidad de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Salamanca (APISAL), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Fausto Barbero-Iglesias
- Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Grupo de Fisioterapia, Recuperación Funcional y Ejercicio Terapéutico del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - José Ignacio Recio-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Unidad de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Salamanca (APISAL), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Ros E. Can specific nutrients, foods, or dietary patterns modulate cognitive function in (older) adults? Latest evidence from randomized controlled trials. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2021; 24:511-520. [PMID: 34596061 DOI: 10.1097/mco.0000000000000795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epidemiological findings and results of randomized clinical trials in the last two decades have identified diet as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, a predementia stage that is increasing worldwide as population ages. The literature on this critical association is expanding, making this review relevant and timely. RECENT FINDINGS Data from 15 trials and several systematic reviews/meta-analyses indicate that, in healthy older adults, isolated nutrients or antioxidant-rich foods usually fail to improve cognition. However, studies targeting populations at risk of cognitive decline tend to have positive results. There is ample epidemiological evidence of cognitive benefit from plant-based dietary patterns (i.e., Mediterranean diet), but more clinical trials are needed. Long-term multicomponent trials, simultaneously targeting several risk factors in patients with early dementia stages, offer promising evidence. A long-term multinutrient intervention in patients at risk for dementia appears as a sound preventive strategy. SUMMARY This review summarizes the latest evidence on nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns as tools to improve cognition and promote brain health. Dietary changes are important to help delay cognitive decline, particularly in populations more at risk. Large-scale strategies based on healthy diets combined with other health-promoting lifestyle changes should be a public health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Ros
- Lipid Clinic, Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Institut d'Investigacions, Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona and CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Caruso G, Torrisi SA, Mogavero MP, Currenti W, Castellano S, Godos J, Ferri R, Galvano F, Leggio GM, Grosso G, Caraci F. Polyphenols and neuroprotection: Therapeutic implications for cognitive decline. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 232:108013. [PMID: 34624428 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Dietary polyphenols have been the focus of major interest for their potential benefits on human health. Several preclinical studies have been conducted to provide a rationale for their potential use as therapeutic agents in preventing or ameliorating cognitive decline. However, results from human studies are scarce and poorly documented. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential mechanisms involved in age-related cognitive decline or early stage cognitive impairment and current evidence from clinical human studies conducted on polyphenols and the aforementioned outcomes. The evidence published so far is encouraging but contrasting findings are to be taken into account. Most studies on anthocyanins showed a consistent positive effect on various cognitive aspects related to aging or early stages of cognitive impairment. Studies on cocoa flavanols, resveratrol, and isoflavones provided substantial contrasting results and further research is needed to clarify the therapeutic potential of these compounds. Results from other studies on quercetin, green tea flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids (such as chlorogenic acid), curcumin, and olive oil tyrosol and derivatives are rather promising but still too few to provide any real conclusions. Future translational studies are needed to address issues related to dosage, optimal formulations to improve bioavailability, as well as better control for the overall diet, and correct target population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sebastiano A Torrisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Mogavero
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Walter Currenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Justyna Godos
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Galvano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grosso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Troina, Italy
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