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Lucarini E, Micheli L, Toti A, Ciampi C, Margiotta F, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Ghelardini C. Anti-Hyperalgesic Efficacy of Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) Against Visceral Pain Induced by Colitis: Involvement of Glia in the Enteric and Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14841. [PMID: 37834289 PMCID: PMC10573187 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of abdominal pain in patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) still represents a problem because of the lack of effective treatments. Acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR) has proved useful in the treatment of different types of chronic pain with excellent tolerability. The present work aimed at evaluating the anti-hyperalgesic efficacy of ALCAR in a model of persistent visceral pain associated with colitis induced by 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) injection. Two different protocols were applied. In the preventive protocol, ALCAR was administered daily starting 14 days to 24 h before the delivery of DNBS. In the interventive protocol, ALCAR was daily administered starting the same day of DNBS injection, and the treatment was continued for 14 days. In both cases, ALCAR significantly reduced the establishment of visceral hyperalgesia in DNBS-treated animals, though the interventive protocol showed a greater efficacy than the preventive one. The interventive protocol partially reduced colon damage in rats, counteracting enteric glia and spinal astrocyte activation resulting from colitis, as analyzed by immunofluorescence. On the other hand, the preventive protocol effectively protected enteric neurons from the inflammatory insult. These findings suggest the putative usefulness of ALCAR as a food supplement for patients suffering from IBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lucarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (L.M.); (A.T.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (L.D.C.M.); (C.G.)
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Cicio A, Serio R, Zizzo MG. Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Brassicaceae-Derived Phytochemicals: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence for a Putative Role in the Prevention and Treatment of IBD. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010031. [PMID: 36615689 PMCID: PMC9824272 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal disorders, of unknown etiology, characterized by chronic inflammation within the gut. They are gradually becoming critical because of the increasing incidence worldwide and improved diagnosis. Due to the important side effects observed during conventional therapy, natural bioactive components are now under intense investigation for the prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses. The Brassicaceae family comprises vegetables widely consumed all over the world. In recent decades, a growing body of literature has reported that extracts from the Brassicaceae family and their purified constituents have anti-inflammatory properties, which has generated interest from both the scientific community and clinicians. In this review, data from the literature are scrutinized and concisely presented demonstrating that Brassicaceae may have anti-IBD potential. The excellent biological activities of Brassicacea are widely attributable to their ability to regulate the levels of inflammatory and oxidant mediators, as well as their capacity for immunomodulatory regulation, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity and intestinal flora balance. Possible future applications of bioactive-derived compounds from Brassicaceae for promoting intestinal health should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Cicio
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Serio
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Zizzo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- ATeN (Advanced Technologies Network) Center, Viale delle Scienze, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Lucarini E, Micheli L, Pagnotta E, Toti A, Ferrara V, Ciampi C, Margiotta F, Martelli A, Testai L, Calderone V, Matteo R, Suriano S, Troccoli A, Pecchioni N, Manera C, Mannelli LDC, Ghelardini C. The Efficacy of Camelina sativa Defatted Seed Meal against Colitis-Induced Persistent Visceral Hypersensitivity: The Relevance of PPAR α Receptor Activation in Pain Relief. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14153137. [PMID: 35956313 PMCID: PMC9370738 DOI: 10.3390/nu14153137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Brassicaceae are natural sources of bioactive compounds able to promote gut health. Belonging to this plant family, Camelina sativa is an ancient oil crop rich in glucosinolates, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants that is attracting renewed attention for its nutraceutical potential. This work aimed at investigating the therapeutic effects of a defatted seed meal (DSM) of Camelina sativa on the colon damage and the persistent visceral hypersensitivity associated with colitis in rats. Inflammation was induced by the intrarectal injection of 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS). The acute administration of Camelina sativa DSM (0.1–1 g kg−1) showed a dose-dependent pain-relieving effect in DNBS-treated rats. The efficacy of the meal was slightly enhanced after bioactivation with myrosinase, which increased isothiocyanate availability, and drastically decreased by pre-treating the animals with the selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR α) receptor antagonist GW6471. Repeated treatments with Camelina sativa DSM (1 g kg−1) meal counteracted the development, as well as the persistence, of visceral hyperalgesia in DNBS-treated animals by reducing the intestinal inflammatory damage and preventing enteric neuron damage. In conclusion, Camelina sativa meal might be employed as a nutraceutical tool to manage persistent abdominal pain in patients and to promote gut healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lucarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Laura Micheli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Eleonora Pagnotta
- CREA—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (E.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Alessandra Toti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Valentina Ferrara
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Clara Ciampi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Francesco Margiotta
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Alma Martelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.T.); (V.C.); (C.M.)
- Interdepartmental Research Centre Nutraceuticals and Food for Health—NUTRAFOOD, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Centre of Ageing Biology and Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lara Testai
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.T.); (V.C.); (C.M.)
- Interdepartmental Research Centre Nutraceuticals and Food for Health—NUTRAFOOD, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Centre of Ageing Biology and Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.T.); (V.C.); (C.M.)
- Interdepartmental Research Centre Nutraceuticals and Food for Health—NUTRAFOOD, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Centre of Ageing Biology and Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Matteo
- CREA—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (E.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Serafino Suriano
- CREA—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.S.); (A.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Antonio Troccoli
- CREA—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.S.); (A.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicola Pecchioni
- CREA—Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.S.); (A.T.); (N.P.)
| | - Clementina Manera
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.T.); (V.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health—NEUROFARBA—Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (L.M.); (A.T.); (V.F.); (C.C.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
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