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Ferraguti G, Francati S, Codazzo C, Blaconà G, Testino G, Angeloni A, Fiore M, Ceccanti M, Lucarelli M. DNA Sequence Variations Affecting Serotonin Transporter Transcriptional Regulation and Activity: Do They Impact Alcohol Addiction? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8089. [PMID: 39125658 PMCID: PMC11311659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158089] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic features of alcohol dependence have been extensively investigated in recent years. A large body of studies has underlined the important role of genetic variants not only in metabolic pathways but also in the neurobiology of alcohol dependence, mediated by the neuronal circuits regulating reward and craving. Serotonin transporter (5-HTT), encoded by the SLC6A4 gene (Solute carrier family 6-neurotransmitter transporter-member 4), is targeted by antidepressant drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and plays a pivotal role in serotoninergic transmission; it has been associated with psychiatric diseases and alcohol dependence. Transcriptional regulation and expression of 5-HTT depend not only on epigenetic modifications, among which DNA methylation (CpG and non-CpG) is primarily involved, but also on sequence variations occurring in intron/exon regions and in untranslated regions in 5' and 3', being the first sequences important for the splicing machinery and the last for the binding of transcription factors and micro RNAs. This work intends to shed light on the role of sequence variations known to affect the expression or function of 5-HTT in alcohol-dependent individuals. We found a statistically significant difference in the allelic (p = 0.0083) and genotypic (p = 0.0151) frequencies of the tri-allelic polymorphism, with higher function alleles and genotypes more represented in the control population. Furthermore, we identified three haplotypes more frequent in subjects with AUD (p < 0.0001) and one more frequent in the control population (p < 0.0001). The results obtained for the tri-allelic polymorphism in alcohol dependence confirm what is already present in part of the literature. The role of haplotypes requires further studies to be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.); (G.T.); (A.A.); (M.L.)
| | - Silvia Francati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.); (G.T.); (A.A.); (M.L.)
| | | | - Giovanna Blaconà
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.); (G.T.); (A.A.); (M.L.)
| | - Giancarlo Testino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.); (G.T.); (A.A.); (M.L.)
| | - Antonio Angeloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.); (G.T.); (A.A.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- SITAC, Società Italiana Per il Trattamento Dell’alcolismo e le Sue Complicanze, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.); (G.T.); (A.A.); (M.L.)
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Rusi E, Pennacchia F, Ruqa WA, Zingaropoli MA, Pasculli P, Talarico G, Bruno G, Barbato C, Minni A, Tarani L, Galardo G, Pugliese F, Lucarelli M, Ciardi MR, Meucci L, Ferraguti G, Fiore M. Blood Count and Renal Functionality Assessments in the Emergency Section Disclose Morbidity and Mortality in Omicron COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Study. Clin Pract 2024; 14:685-702. [PMID: 38804387 PMCID: PMC11130961 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 is the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though we are no longer in a pandemic situation, people are still getting infected, some of them need hospitalization and a few of them die. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including 445 patients who accessed the Emergency Section of Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy, where they had routine blood exams. In this study, we focused on the complete blood count, serum creatinine and azotemia. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, Spearman correlation and ROC analyses. They were divided into four groups based on their clinical outcomes: (1) the emergency group (patients who had mild forms and were quickly discharged); (2) the hospital ward group (patients who were admitted to the emergency section and were then hospitalized in a COVID-19 ward); (3) the intensive care unit (ICU) group (patients who required intensive assistance after the admission in the emergency section); (4) the deceased group (patients who had a fatal outcome after admission to the emergency section). Results: We found significant changes for creatinine, azotemia, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, basophils, monocytes, red blood cell distribution width, hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell numbers using ANOVA according to their clinical outcomes, particularly for the deceased group. Also, we found linear correlations of clinical outcomes with eosinophils, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, lymphocyte, neutrophil, platelet and red blood cell number and red blood cell distribution width. Conclusions: This study discloses an early association between "classical" routine blood biomarkers and the severity of clinical outcomes in Omicron patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eqrem Rusi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Pennacchia
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Wael Abu Ruqa
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Pasculli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Talarico
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bruno
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Barbato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), c/o Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, ASL Rieti-Sapienza University, Ospedale San Camillo de Lellis, 02100 Rieti, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Pugliese
- Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Ciardi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Meucci
- Directorate Social and Welfare Statistics, ISTAT, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), c/o Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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3
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Pennacchia F, Rusi E, Ruqa WA, Zingaropoli MA, Pasculli P, Talarico G, Bruno G, Barbato C, Minni A, Tarani L, Galardo G, Pugliese F, Lucarelli M, Ferraguti G, Ciardi MR, Fiore M. Blood Biomarkers from the Emergency Department Disclose Severe Omicron COVID-19-Associated Outcomes. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040925. [PMID: 37110348 PMCID: PMC10146633 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Since its outbreak, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a life-threatening respiratory illness, has rapidly become a public health emergency with a devastating social impact. Lately, the Omicron strain is considered the main variant of concern. Routine blood biomarkers are, indeed, essential for stratifying patients at risk of severe outcomes, and a huge amount of data is available in the literature, mainly for the previous variants. However, only a few studies are available on early routine biochemical blood biomarkers for Omicron-afflicted patients. Thus, the aim and novelty of this study were to identify routine blood biomarkers detected at the emergency room for the early prediction of severe morbidity and/or mortality. Methods: 449 COVID-19 patients from Sapienza University Hospital of Rome were divided into four groups: (1) the emergency group (patients with mild forms who were quickly discharged); (2) the hospital ward group (patients that after the admission in the emergency department were hospitalized in a COVID-19 ward); (3) the intensive care unit (ICU) group (patients that after the admission in the emergency department required intensive assistance); (4) the deceased group (patients that after the admission in the emergency department had a fatal outcome). Results: ANOVA and ROC data showed that high-sensitivity troponin-T (TnT), fibrinogen, glycemia, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, D-dimer myoglobin, and ferritin for both men and women may predict lethal outcomes already at the level of the emergency department. Conclusions: Compared to previous Delta COVID-19 parallel emergency patterns of prediction, Omicron-induced changes in TnT may be considered other early predictors of severe outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenza Pennacchia
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Eqrem Rusi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Wael Abu Ruqa
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Pasculli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Talarico
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bruno
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Barbato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, ASL Rieti-Sapienza University, Ospedale San Camillo de Lellis, 02100 Rieti, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Pugliese
- Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Ciardi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Tarani L, Ceci FM, Carito V, Ferraguti G, Petrella C, Greco A, Ralli M, Minni A, Spaziani M, Isidori AM, Certo MGD, Barbato C, Putotto C, Fiore M. Neuroimmune Dysregulation in Prepubertal and Adolescent Individuals Affected by Klinefelter Syndrome. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2023; 23:105-114. [PMID: 35794745 DOI: 10.2174/1871530322666220704101310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The syndrome Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is a genetic disorder due to an extra X chromosome in males. Many cases remain undiagnosed until the onset of major manifestations, which include hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and infertility. This condition is associated with many comorbidities that involve the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems. Last but not the least, individuals with KS show a high risk of developing psychiatric and mood disorders in adult age. OBJECTIVE While many studies are accessible on KS in adult individuals, the neuroinflammatory condition in adolescent and prepubertal KS individuals is not fully known. METHODS Our study aims to evaluate in prepubertal and adolescent KS individuals, for the first time, the levels of the serum of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), cytokines having subtle roles in oxidative processes, and neuroinflammation with respect to the levels of TNF-α, TGF-β, MCP-1, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 and oxidative stress by employing free oxygen radicals defense and free oxygen radicals test. RESULTS We found no changes in NGF and oxidative stress parameters, but BDNF decreased compared to healthy children. Quite interestingly, our data showed reduced levels of IL-2, IL-1α, IL- 12, IL-10, and IL-6 in prepubertal KS children. CONCLUSION The present study discloses disrupted immune system and neurotrophin pathways in KS children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Maria Ceci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Carito
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Spaziani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Di Certo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Barbato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Carolina Putotto
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
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Terracina S, Ferraguti G, Tarani L, Messina MP, Lucarelli M, Vitali M, De Persis S, Greco A, Minni A, Polimeni A, Ceccanti M, Petrella C, Fiore M. Transgenerational Abnormalities Induced by Paternal Preconceptual Alcohol Drinking: Findings from Humans and Animal Models. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1158-1173. [PMID: 34720083 PMCID: PMC9886817 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211101111430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and lactation is a widespread preventable cause of neurodevelopmental impairment in newborns. While the harmful effects of gestational alcohol use have been well documented, only recently, the role of paternal preconceptual alcohol consumption (PPAC) prior to copulating has drawn specific epigenetic considerations. Data from human and animal models have demonstrated that PPAC may affect sperm function, eliciting oxidative stress. In newborns, PPAC may induce changes in behavior, cognitive functions, and emotional responses. Furthermore, PPAC may elicit neurobiological disruptions, visuospatial impairments, hyperactivity disorders, motor skill disruptions, hearing loss, endocrine, and immune alterations, reduced physical growth, placental disruptions, and metabolic alterations. Neurobiological studies on PPAC have also disclosed changes in brain function and structure by disrupting the growth factors pathways. In particular, as shown in animal model studies, PPAC alters brain nerve growth factor (NGF) and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) synthesis and release. This review shows that the crucial topic of lifelong disabilities induced by PPAC and/or gestational alcohol drinking is quite challenging at the individual, societal, and familial levels. Since a nontoxic drinking behavior before pregnancy (for both men and women), during pregnancy, and lactation cannot be established, the only suggestion for couples planning pregnancies is to completely avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Terracina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Medical Faculty, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeItaly
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Medical Faculty, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeItaly
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Medical Faculty, Sapienza University of Rome, RomeItaly
| | | | | | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- SITAC, Società Italiana per il Trattamento dell’Alcolismo e le sue Complicanze, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy,Address correspondence to this author at the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy; E-mail:
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Petrella C, Nenna R, Petrarca L, Tarani F, Paparella R, Mancino E, Di Mattia G, Conti MG, Matera L, Bonci E, Ceci FM, Ferraguti G, Gabanella F, Barbato C, Di Certo MG, Cavalcanti L, Minni A, Midulla F, Tarani L, Fiore M. Serum NGF and BDNF in Long-COVID-19 Adolescents: A Pilot Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051162. [PMID: 35626317 PMCID: PMC9140550 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 19) is an infectious disease also known as an acute respiratory syndrome caused by the SARS-CoV-2. Although in children and adolescents SARS-CoV-2 infection produces mostly mild or moderate symptoms, in a certain percentage of recovered young people a condition of malaise, defined as long-COVID-19, remains. To date, the risk factors for the development of long-COVID-19 are not completely elucidated. Neurotrophins such as NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) and BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) are known to regulate not only neuronal growth, survival and plasticity, but also to influence cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine systems in physiological and/or pathological conditions; to date only a few papers have discussed their potential role in COVID-19. In the present pilot study, we aimed to identify NGF and BDNF changes in the serum of a small cohort of male and female adolescents that contracted the infection during the second wave of the pandemic (between September and October 2020), notably in the absence of available vaccines. Blood withdrawal was carried out when the recruited adolescents tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 (“post-infected COVID-19”), 30 to 35 days after the last molecular test. According to their COVID-19 related outcomes, the recruited individuals were divided into three groups: asymptomatics, acute symptomatics and symptomatics that over time developed long-COVID-19 symptoms (“future long-COVID-19”). As a control group, we analyzed the serum of age-matched healthy controls that did not contract the infection. Inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, TGF-β), MCP-1, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12) were also analyzed with the free oxygen radicals’ presence as an oxidative stress index. We showed that NGF serum content was lower in post-infected-COVID-19 individuals when compared to healthy controls; BDNF levels were found to be higher compared to healthy individuals only in post-infected-COVID-19 symptomatic and future long-COVID-19 girls, leaving the BDNF levels unchanged in asymptomatic individuals if compared to controls. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were unchanged in male and female adolescents, except for TGF-β that, similarly to BDNF, was higher in post-infected-COVID-19 symptomatic and future long-COVID-19 girls. We predicted that NGF and/or BDNF could be used as early biomarkers of COVID-19 morbidity in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Raffaella Nenna
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Laura Petrarca
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Francesca Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Roberto Paparella
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Enrica Mancino
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Greta Di Mattia
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Maria Giulia Conti
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Luigi Matera
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Enea Bonci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (E.B.); (F.M.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Flavio Maria Ceci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (E.B.); (F.M.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (E.B.); (F.M.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Francesca Gabanella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Christian Barbato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Maria Grazia Di Certo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Luca Cavalcanti
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Fabio Midulla
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Alcohol and Head and Neck Cancer: Updates on the Role of Oxidative Stress, Genetic, Epigenetics, Oral Microbiota, Antioxidants, and Alkylating Agents. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11010145. [PMID: 35052649 PMCID: PMC8773066 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) concerns more than 890,000 patients worldwide annually and is associated with the advanced stage at presentation and heavy outcomes. Alcohol drinking, together with tobacco smoking, and human papillomavirus infection are the main recognized risk factors. The tumorigenesis of HNC represents an intricate sequential process that implicates a gradual acquisition of genetic and epigenetics alterations targeting crucial pathways regulating cell growth, motility, and stromal interactions. Tumor microenvironment and growth factors also play a major role in HNC. Alcohol toxicity is caused both directly by ethanol and indirectly by its metabolic products, with the involvement of the oral microbiota and oxidative stress; alcohol might enhance the exposure of epithelial cells to carcinogens, causing epigenetic modifications, DNA damage, and inaccurate DNA repair with the formation of DNA adducts. Long-term markers of alcohol consumption, especially those detected in the hair, may provide crucial information on the real alcohol drinking of HNC patients. Strategies for prevention could include food supplements as polyphenols, and alkylating drugs as therapy that play a key role in HNC management. Indeed, polyphenols throughout their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions may counteract or limit the toxic effect of alcohol whereas alkylating agents inhibiting cancer cells’ growth could reduce the carcinogenic damage induced by alcohol. Despite the established association between alcohol and HNC, a concerning pattern of alcohol consumption in survivors of HNC has been shown. It is of primary importance to increase the awareness of cancer risks associated with alcohol consumption, both in oncologic patients and the general population, to provide advice for reducing HNC prevalence and complications.
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Fiore M, Petrella C, Coriale G, Rosso P, Fico E, Ralli M, Greco A, De Vincentiis M, Minni A, Polimeni A, Vitali M, Messina MP, Ferraguti G, Tarani F, de Persis S, Ceccanti M, Tarani L. Markers of Neuroinflammation in the Serum of Prepubertal Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2022; 21:854-868. [PMID: 34852752 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666211201154839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the manifestation of the damage caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), the extreme FASD manifestation, show both facial dysmorphology and mental retardation. Alcohol consumed during gestational age prejudices brain development by reducing, among others, the synthesis and release of neurotrophic factors and neuroinflammatory markers. Alcohol drinking also induces oxidative stress. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate the potential association between neurotrophins, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in 12 prepubertal male and female FASD children diagnosed as FAS or partial FAS (pFAS). METHODS Accordingly, we analyzed, in the serum, the level of BDNF and NGF and the oxidative stress, as Free Oxygen Radicals Test (FORT) and Free Oxygen Radicals Defense (FORD). Moreover, serum levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, MCP-1, TGF-β, and TNF-α) involved in neuroinflammatory and oxidative processes have been investigated. RESULTS We demonstrated low serum levels of NGF and BDNF in pre-pubertal FASD children with respect to healthy controls. These changes were associated with higher serum presence of TNF- α and IL-1α. Quite interestingly, an elevation in the FORD was also found despite normal FORT levels. Moreover, we found a potentiation of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-1α1 in the analyzed female compared to male children. CONCLUSION The present investigation shows an imbalance in the peripheral neuroimmune pathways that could be used in children as early biomarkers of the deficits observed in FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Coriale
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione Lazio, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Pamela Rosso
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Fico
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesca Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Ceccanti
- SITAC, Societa' Italiana per il Trattamento dell'Alcolismo, Roma Italy SIFASD, Società Italiana Sindrome Feto-Alcolica, Roma, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
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Messina MP, Battagliese G, D’Angelo A, Ciccarelli R, Pisciotta F, Tramonte L, Fiore M, Ferraguti G, Vitali M, Ceccanti M. Knowledge and Practice towards Alcohol Consumption in a Sample of University Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189528. [PMID: 34574453 PMCID: PMC8467782 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Alcohol affects many human systems and is involved in the pathogenesis of other diseases. Particular attention must be paid to alcohol consumption among young people. It has been shown that 25% of young people's deaths are attributable to alcohol, and around 35 million people aged over 11 had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in 2015. Study Design: Young people aged 18-24 were the most vulnerable to binge drinking in Italy, and 50.6% of teenagers drunk alcohol. Only a few studies in the literature have investigated those habits in university students. This study aims to examine alcohol use habits in a population of university students in Italy. Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, an anonymous online questionnaire was randomly sent to university students from 17 different universities in a network of research centres to study alcohol use disorders. The survey included socio-demographic information, questions about alcohol use, knowledge about alcohol consumption, and related risks. Used questionnaires were the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) and the Drinking Motive Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R). Results: the AUDIT-C revealed that 53.3% of students were high-risk drinkers. Regarding binge drinking habits, 13.1% of students admitted to binge drinking behavior at least once a month. In our sample, male students are more likely to be low-risk drinkers than female peers (p < 0.008). Students from northern Italy are more likely to be high-risk drinkers (p = 0.003). Beer (65.9%) and wine (60.9%) were the most consumed alcoholic beverages. The most common places to drink alcohol were pubs (85.5%). The most likely motivations to drink alcohol were enhancement (40.43%), social (38.39%), coping (15.63%), and social pressure or conformity (5.55%). Only 43.8% of participants reported having attended an educational course on alcohol. Conclusions: University students were not fully aware of the implications of alcohol misuse and will be part of the adult society as critical figures and future leaders. It is imperative to inform students about alcohol consumption risks and investigate the motivations to drink. Stress, anxiety, and social pressure are only a few issues young people are exposed to. Special attention must be paid to young people and their coping strategies that involve substance abuse by using educative, preventive, and motivational approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Patrizia Messina
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Urology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Gemma Battagliese
- Centro di Riferimento Alcologico della Regione Lazio, Mental Health Department, ASL Roma 1, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessio D’Angelo
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Urology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.M.); (A.D.)
| | - Rosaria Ciccarelli
- Centro di Riferimento Alcologico della Regione Lazio, Mental Health Department, ASL Roma 1, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Fabiola Pisciotta
- Società Italiana per il Trattamento dell’Alcolismo e le sue Complicanze (SITAC), ASL Roma1, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Luigi Tramonte
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBCN-CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | | | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Centro di Riferimento Alcologico della Regione Lazio, Mental Health Department, ASL Roma 1, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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Ceci FM, Ferraguti G, Petrella C, Greco A, Tirassa P, Iannitelli A, Ralli M, Vitali M, Ceccanti M, Chaldakov GN, Versacci P, Fiore M. Nerve Growth Factor, Stress and Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:2943-2959. [PMID: 32811396 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327999200818111654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stress is a constant threat for homeostasis and is represented by different extrinsic and intrinsic stimuli (stressors, Hans Selye's "noxious agents"), such as aggressive behavior, fear, diseases, physical activity, drugs, surgical injury, and environmental and physiological changes. Our organisms respond to stress by activating the adaptive stress system to activate compensatory responses for restoring homeostasis. Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) was discovered as a signaling molecule involved in survival, protection, differentiation, and proliferation of sympathetic and peripheral sensory neurons. NGF mediates stress with an important role in translating environmental stimuli into physiological and pathological feedbacks since NGF levels undergo important variations after exposure to stressful events. Psychological stress, lifestyle stress, and oxidative stress are well known to increase the risk of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorders and metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome. This review reports recent works describing the activity of NGF in mental and metabolic disorders related to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Maria Ceci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Tirassa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Iannitelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione Lazio, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - George N Chaldakov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University, and Institute for Advanced Study, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Paolo Versacci
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
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Ceci FM, Ferraguti G, Petrella C, Greco A, Ralli M, Iannitelli A, Carito V, Tirassa P, Chaldakov GN, Messina MP, Ceccanti M, Fiore M. Nerve Growth Factor in Alcohol Use Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 19:45-60. [PMID: 32348226 PMCID: PMC7903493 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200429003239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to the family of neurotrophic factors. Initially discovered as a signaling molecule involved in the survival, protection, differentiation, and proliferation of sympathetic and peripheral sensory neurons, it also participates in the regulation of the immune system and endocrine system. NGF biological activity is due to the binding of two classes of receptors: the tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) and the low-affinity NGF pan-neurotrophin receptor p75. Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) are one of the most frequent mental disorders in developed countries, characterized by heavy drinking, despite the negative effects of alcohol on brain development and cognitive functions that cause individual’s work, medical, legal, educational, and social life problems. In addition, alcohol consumption during pregnancy disrupts the development of the fetal brain causing a wide range of neurobehavioral outcomes collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The rationale of this review is to describe crucial findings on the role of NGF in humans and animals, when exposed to prenatal, chronic alcohol consumption, and on binge drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Maria Ceci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Iannitelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valentina Carito
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Tirassa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - George N Chaldakov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria
| | | | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione Lazio, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
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12
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Alcohol as an early life stressor: Epigenetics, metabolic, neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:654-668. [PMID: 32976915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol exposure during gestation is an early life stressor that profoundly dysregulates structure and functions of the embryonal nervous system, altering the cognitive and behavioral development. Such dysregulation is also achieved by epigenetic mechanisms, which, altering the chromatin structure, redraw the entire pattern of gene expression. In parallel, an oxidative stress response at the cellular level and a global upregulation of neuroendocrine stress response, regulated by the HPA axis, exist and persist in adulthood. This neurobehavioral framework matches those observed in other psychiatric diseases such as mood diseases, depression, autism; those early life stressing events, although probably triggered by specific and different epigenetic mechanisms, give rise to largely overlapping neurobehavioral phenotypes. An early diagnosis of prenatal alcohol exposure, using reliable markers of ethanol intake, together with a deeper understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms, some of them reversible by their nature, can offer a temporal "window" of intervention. Supplementing a mother's diet with protective and antioxidant substances in addition to supportive psychological therapies can protect newborns from being affected.
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13
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Antioxidant properties of plant polyphenols in the counteraction of alcohol-abuse induced damage: Impact on the Mediterranean diet. J Funct Foods 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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14
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Martellucci S, Ralli M, Attanasio G, Russo FY, Marcelli V, Greco A, Gallo A, Fiore M, Petrella C, Ferraguti G, Ceccanti M, de Vincentiis M. Alcohol binge-drinking damage on the vestibulo-oculomotor reflex. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 278:41-48. [PMID: 32449024 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Binge drinking is associated with several adverse effects in multiple organs. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of a binge-like-drinking on the vestibulo-oculomotor reflex (VOR) using the video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and the functional Head Impulse Test (fHIT). METHODS Eleven healthy men (age range 32-35 years) with moderate drinking habits and no history of vestibular dysfunction were enrolled. A preliminary assessment of breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) to check for zero alcohol value and a pre-intake evaluation of VOR using the vHIT and the fHIT were carried on. Then, the subjects were asked to take drinks with different alcohol content (8-40% ethanol by volume) according to their choice, consuming at least 5 standard drinks. Volunteers stopped drinking after 3 h. After a further 30 min, post-intake BrAC measurements and VOR analysis were repeated. RESULTS After alcohol intake, vHIT recorded an overall significant reduction of VOR gain (0.82 ± 0.07 on both sides) although the outcomes were below the normal range only in the four subjects with the highest blood alcohol levels. The post-intake fHIT outcomes were substandard in 9 participants, with a significant deterioration in performance (% of exact answers = 84.54 ± 11.05% on the left, 83.18 ± 14.53 on the right). CONCLUSIONS Binge drinking severely affects VOR; fHIT seems more sensitive than vHIT in the assessment of VOR function for complex vestibular lesions, such as those determined by ethanol, suggesting that fHIT could support vHIT in vestibular dysfunction assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Martellucci
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00100, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Attanasio
- Head and Neck Department, ENT Clinic, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Yoshie Russo
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Gallo
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00100, Rome, Italy. .,Section of Neurobiology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy.
| | - Carla Petrella
- Section of Neurobiology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Centro Alcologico della Regione Lazio, Asl Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco de Vincentiis
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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15
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Ferraguti G, Merlino L, Battagliese G, Piccioni MG, Barbaro G, Carito V, Messina MP, Scalese B, Coriale G, Fiore M, Ceccanti M. Fetus morphology changes by second-trimester ultrasound in pregnant women drinking alcohol. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12724. [PMID: 30811093 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of negative conditions occurring in children exposed to alcohol during gestation. The early discovery of FASD is crucial for mother and infant follow-ups. In this study, we investigated in pregnant women the association between urine ethylglucuronide (EtG-a biomarker of alcohol drinking) and indicators of the physical characteristics of FASD by prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester of gestation. We also correlated these data with the AUDIT-C, T-ACE/TACER-3, TWEAK, and food habit diary, screening questionnaires used to disclose alcohol drinking during pregnancy. Forty-four pregnant women were randomly enrolled and examined for ultrasound investigation during the second trimester of gestation. Urine samples were provided by pregnant women immediately after the routine interviews. EtG determinations were performed with a cutoff established at 100 ng/mL, a value indicating occasional alcohol drinking. Fifteen of the enrolled pregnant women overcame the EtG cutoff (34.09%). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the fetuses of the positive EtG pregnant women had significantly longer interorbital distance and also significantly increased frontothalamic distance (P's < 0.02). Quite interestingly, no direct correlation was found between EtG data and both food diary and AUDIT-C. However, a significant correlation was observed between urinary EtG and T-ACE (r = 0.375; P = 0.012) and between urinary EtG and TWEAK (r = 0.512; P < 0.001) and a concordance with all questionnaire for EtG values higher than 500 ng/mL. This study provides clinical evidence that the diagnosis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy by urine EtG may disclose FASD-related damage in the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental MedicineSapienza University Hospital of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Lucia Merlino
- Department of Gynecological‐Obstetric Sciences and Urological SciencesSapienza University Hospital of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Gemma Battagliese
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione LazioSapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Piccioni
- Department of Gynecological‐Obstetric Sciences and Urological SciencesSapienza University Hospital of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Greta Barbaro
- Department of Gynecological‐Obstetric Sciences and Urological SciencesSapienza University Hospital of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Valentina Carito
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN)National Research Council (CNR) Rome Italy
| | | | - Bruna Scalese
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione LazioSapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Giovanna Coriale
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione LazioSapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN)National Research Council (CNR) Rome Italy
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione LazioSapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
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Effects of Ethanol Exposure and Withdrawal on Neuronal Morphology in the Agranular Insular and Prelimbic Cortices: Relationship with Withdrawal-Related Structural Plasticity in the Nucleus Accumbens. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9080180. [PMID: 31357611 PMCID: PMC6721441 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9080180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure and withdrawal on dendritic morphology and spine density in the agranular insular and prelimbic cortices. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were passively exposed to vaporized ethanol (~37 mg/L; 12 h/day) or air (control) for ten consecutive days. Dendritic length, branching, and spine density were quantified in layer II/III pyramidal neurons 24 hours or seven days following the final ethanol exposure. Compared to unexposed control animals there were structural alterations on neurons in the prelimbic cortex, and to a lesser extent the agranular insular cortex. The most prominent ethanol-related differences were the transient increases in dendritic length and branching in prelimbic neurons at 24 h post-cessation, and increased mushroom-shaped spines at seven days post-cessation. The results obtained in the prelimbic cortex are the opposite of those previously reported in the nucleus accumbens core (Peterson, et al. 2015), suggesting that these regions undergo distinct functional adaptations following ethanol exposure and withdrawal.
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Ledda R, Battagliese G, Attilia F, Rotondo C, Pisciotta F, Gencarelli S, Greco A, Fiore M, Ceccanti M, Attilia ML. Drop-out, relapse and abstinence in a cohort of alcoholic people under detoxification. Physiol Behav 2019; 198:67-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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18
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Ciafrè S, Carito V, Ferraguti G, Greco A, Chaldakov GN, Fiore M, Ceccanti M. How alcohol drinking affects our genes: an epigenetic point of view. Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 97:345-356. [PMID: 30412425 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2018-0248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This work highlights recent studies in epigenetic mechanisms that play a role in alcoholism, which is a complex multifactorial disorder. There is a large body of evidence showing that alcohol can modify gene expression through epigenetic processes, namely DNA methylation and nucleosomal remodeling via histone modifications. In that regard, chronic exposure to ethanol modifies DNA and histone methylation, histone acetylation, and microRNA expression. The alcohol-mediated chromatin remodeling in the brain promotes the transition from use to abuse and addiction. Unravelling the multiplex pattern of molecular modifications induced by ethanol could support the development of new therapies for alcoholism and drug addiction targeting epigenetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ciafrè
- a Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT-CNR, 100 via del Fosso del Cavaliere, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Valentina Carito
- b Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, IBCN-CNR, c/o Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155 (00161), Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- c Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155 (00161), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- d Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155 (00161), Rome, Italy
| | - George N Chaldakov
- e Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University, BG-9002 Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Marco Fiore
- b Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, IBCN-CNR, c/o Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155 (00161), Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- f Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione Lazio, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155 (00161), Rome, Italy
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Sangiovanni E, Brivio P, Dell'Agli M, Calabrese F. Botanicals as Modulators of Neuroplasticity: Focus on BDNF. Neural Plast 2017; 2017:5965371. [PMID: 29464125 PMCID: PMC5804326 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5965371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different central nervous system (CNS) diseases suggests that this neurotrophin may represent an interesting and reliable therapeutic target. Accordingly, the search for new compounds, also from natural sources, able to modulate BDNF has been increasingly explored. The present review considers the literature on the effects of botanicals on BDNF. Botanicals considered were Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, Coffea arabica L., Crocus sativus L., Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea), Ginkgo biloba L., Hypericum perforatum L., Olea europaea L. (olive oil), Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Rhodiola rosea L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Vitis vinifera L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton. The effect of the active principles responsible for the efficacy of the extracts is reviewed and discussed as well. The high number of articles published (more than one hundred manuscripts for 14 botanicals) supports the growing interest in the use of natural products as BDNF modulators. The studies reported strengthen the hypothesis that botanicals may be considered useful modulators of BDNF in CNS diseases, without high side effects. Further clinical studies are mandatory to confirm botanicals as preventive agents or as useful adjuvant to the pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Sangiovanni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Brivio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Dell'Agli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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