A Comparative Study between Beeswax and Glycerol Monostearate for Food-Grade Oleogels

With the aim to produce solid fats with a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, oleogels based on olive and peanut oil with different concentrations of beeswax (BW) and glycerol monostearate (GMS) as oleogelators were studied and compared. The critical oleogelator concentration for both BW and GMS was 3%. Thermal properties of the developed GMS-based oleogels pointed to a polymorphic structure, confirmed by the presence of two exothermic and endothermic peaks. All developed oleogels released less than 4% of oil, highlighting their high oil binding capacity. A morphology evaluation of oleogels showed platelet-like crystals, characterized by a cross-sectional length of 50 μm in BW-based oleogels and irregular clusters of needle-like crystals with a higher diameter in GMS-based oleogels. BW-based oleogels showed a solid fat content ranging from 1.16% to 2.27%, and no solid fat content was found at 37 °C. GMS-based oleogels reached slightly higher values of SFC that ranged from 1.58% to 2.97% at 25 °C and from 1.00% to 1.75% at 37 °C. Olive oil-based oleogels with GMS showed higher firmness compared with BW-based ones. The stronger structure network in olive oil/GMS-based oleogels provided a real physical barrier to oxidants, showing a high oxidation stability.

Sur lies élevage practice to modulate the features of red wines from calcareous soils with different textures

BACKGROUND

In Sicilian calcareous soils, red wines often display unripeness and bitterness features. To enhance wine quality, we employed the 'sur lies élevage' technique, involving prolonged contact of dead yeast cells with the wine to favor the extraction of yeast cellular components through cell lysis. The 7 month treatment utilized two types of Chardonnay lies: fresh and previously matured. To overcome challenges in retrieving lies from red winemaking, we have recovered the lies from a white winemaking. Additionally, the lies underwent a preliminary passage on a red wine to minimize color adsorption on yeast cell walls.

RESULTS

The sur lies treatment effectively reduced astringency, bitterness, and brown pigment in wines, with partial removal of red color. It successfully eliminated quercetin aglycone and induced remarkable changes in the aromatic profile, showing increased ethyl esters and relative fatty acids. Sensory evaluations revealed sur lies-treated wines had fruitier and more complex characteristics compared to untreated wines. Matured lies had a greater impact on enhancing fruitiness than fresh lies.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatments mitigated the unripeness and bitterness of studied wines. Sur lies treatment improved the aromatic profile, leading to fruitier and more complex notes, enhancing overall sensory quality. Matured lies showed greater efficacy in elevating fruitiness than fresh lies. These findings highlight the value of the sur lies technique in enhancing the quality and sensory attributes of Nero d'Avola and Syrah wines from Sicilian calcareous soils. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

1H NMR-Based Metabolomics to Assess the Impact of Soil Type on the Chemical Composition of Nero d'Avola Red Wines

In this study, the soil effect on the micro-component composition of Nero d'Avola wines obtained from different locations was investigated through ¹H NMR-based metabolomics. Two different approaches were applied: the targeted (TA) and the non-targeted one (NTA). The former differentiated the wines by profiling (i.e., by identifying and quantifying) a number of different metabolites. The latter provided wine fingerprinting by processing the entire spectra with multivariate statistical analysis. NTA also allowed investigation of the hydrogen bond network inside wines via the analysis of ¹H NMR chemical shift dispersions. Results showed that the differences among wines were due not only to the concentrations of various analytes but also to the characteristics of the H-bond network where different solutes were involved. The H-bond network affects both gustatory and olfactory perceptions by modulating the way how solutes interact with the human sensorial receptors. Moreover, the aforementioned H-bond network is also related to the soil properties from which the grapes were taken. Therefore, the present study can be considered a good attempt to investigate terroir, i.e., the relationship between wine quality and soil characteristics.

Differentiation among dairy products by combination of fast field cycling NMR relaxometry data and chemometrics

A set of commercial milk and Sicilian cheeses was analysed by a combination of fast field cycling (FFC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry and chemometrics. The NMR dispersion (NMRD) curves were successfully analysed with a mathematical model applied on Parmigiano-Reggiano (PR) cheese. Regression parameters were led back to the molecular components of cheeses (water trapped in casein micelles, proteins and fats) and milk samples (water belonging to hydration shells around dispersed colloidal particles of different sizes and bulk water). The application of chemometric analysis on relaxometric data enabled differentiating milk from cheeses and revealing differences within the two sample groups of either cheeses or milk samples. Marked differences among cheeses were evidenced by statistical analysis of the sole quadrupolar peaks parameters, suggesting that these contain information on the nature of the milk used during cheese production. Hence, combination of FFC NMR and chemometrics represents a powerful tool to investigate alterations in dairy products.

Microencapsulation of Phenolic Extracts from Cocoa Shells to Enrich Chocolate Bars

Cocoa bean shells were subjected to green extraction technologies, based on the absence of toxic organic solvents, to recover polyphenols; the extract was then encapsulated using a spray dryer and maltodextrin as coating agent. The best conditions observed in the spray drying tests (core-to-coating ratio 1:5; inlet temperature 150 °C; flow rate 6 ml min^-1) were applied to produce the microcapsules used to enrich the same cocoa mass as the shells and processed for the preparation of the chocolate bars. Sensory analysis showed no significant differences between enriched chocolate bar and the unenriched reference one, except for the appearance. Both samples were then subjected to accelerated storage tests, at the end of which the polyphenols in the control chocolate bar (0.85 g 100 g^-1) were reduced by about 50% (0.42 g 100 g^-1), while in the enriched chocolate (1.17 g 100 g^-1) by only 22% (0.97 g 100 g^-1). The proposed process significantly enriched the chocolate bars with phenolic antioxidants recovered from cocoa waste without increasing the sensations of bitterness and astringency.

Bioactive Compounds in Wild Asteraceae Edible Plants Consumed in the Mediterranean Diet

Three wild edible plant species belonging to the Asteraceae family, Crepis vesicaria L. (s.l.), Sonchus asper (L.) Hill s.l., and Sonchus oleraceus L., usually consumed in the Mediterranean diet, were tested for their nutritional composition and content of carotenoids, tocols, thiamine and riboflavin. Low amounts of thiamine and riboflavin were found. All species were sources of xanthophylls (violaxanthin, neoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin) and carotenes (α-carotene, β-carotene, 9-cis-β-carotene and 13-cis-β-carotene). Lutein accounted for the highest content (about 4 mg/100 g). They had good tocol amounts, in particular α-tocopherol (about 2-3 mg/100 g). Taking into account the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) established by the EU Regulation, the analyzed plants can be declared as a source of fiber, vitamin A and E. These data could be useful for database on the nutritional and bioactive compound profile of studied plants and can contribute in promoting their use in functional foods.

Evolution of Carotenoid Content, Antioxidant Activity and Volatiles Compounds in Dried Mango Fruits (Mangifera Indica L.)

The aim of this research was to study the evolution of carotenoid compounds, antioxidant β-ctivity, volatiles and sensory quality in two mango cultivars dried at 50, 60 and 70 °C. Total carotenoids in fresh samples were about 12 and 6 mg/100 g (dry basis) in Keitt and Osteen samples, respectively. β-carotene was the main carotenoid, representing about 50% of total carotenoids. In both cultivars, carotenoids were more susceptible to drying at 60 °C. Total phenols and metal reduction activity were higher in Osteen than in Keitt, which had higher values in radical scavenging capacity. The antioxidant activities were best preserved with drying temperatures at 50 °C in Keitt and 60 °C in Osteen fruits. Fresh Osteen mango fruits had a volatile compound content of about 37.1, while Keitt of about 5.2 mg/kg (dry basis). All the compounds with odorous impact were significantly reduced after drying. As regards organoleptic characteristics through sensory analysis, Keitt dried mangoes were quite similar to the fresh product, compared to Osteen.

Evolution of Carotenoids, Sensory Profiles and Volatile Compounds in Microwave-Dried Fruits of Three Different Loquat Cultivars (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

The consumption of loquat fruits is highly appreciated for their carotenoid content and valuable sensory notes, but it is limited due to the low shelf-life. An on-line temperature controlled microwave system based on infrared thermography was used to dry three different loquat cultivar at 60 °C. The time to reach the target value of 23% moisture content was about 105 min in Claudia fruits and 162 min in Virticchiara and Peluche. Seven carotenoids were identified in loquat fruits, among these the major were all-trans-β-carotene in Virticchiara and Claudia. Virticchiara had the major total carotenoid content (206 μg/g dry basis), followed by Peluche (158 μg/g d.b.) and Claudia (41 μg/g d.b.). The loss of carotenoids after drying ranged between 24% (Peluche) and 41% (Claudia). Carotenoids that showed a higher loss were on average: lutein (70%) and zeaxhantin (51%). Thirty-five volatile compounds were identified in fresh and dried loquats: the aldehydes were the most abundant class. After drying, aldehydes declined slightly, with alcohols falling more sharply. The shortened times by using temperature-controlled microwave heating with infrared thermography have guaranteed a fair quality of the dried loquats from the nutritional and sensory point of view, variable among the three cultivars.

Influence of Different Dehydration Levels on Volatile Profiles, Phenolic Contents and Skin Hardness of Alkaline Pre-Treated Grapes cv Muscat of Alexandria (Vitis vinifera L.)

A dehydration experiment was carried out on Vitis vinifera L. cv Muscat of Alexandria (synonym Zibibbo) following the process for the production of renowned special dessert wines produced on Pantelleria island (Sicily, Italy). Harvested berries were pre-treated in a sodium hydroxide dipping solution (45 g/L, dipped for 185 s, 25 °C) to accelerate the drying process, rinsed, and dehydrated in simulated conditions (relative humidity 30%, 30 °C temperature, air speed 0.9 m/s). Three dehydration levels were achieved, corresponding to “Passolata”, “Bionda”, and “Malaga” stages (35%, 50%, and 65% of weight loss, respectively) of the Pantelleria denomination of origin (DOC). Grape skin mechanical properties, technological parameters, phenolics, and aroma profile varied considerably during dehydration. The most important aroma compounds for their olfactory impact, such as linalool, geraniol, nerol, and citronellol, especially in glycosylated forms, significantly increased in dried grapes compared to fresh ones, even if aroma profile modification occurred. A decrease in break skin force could have induced higher release of flavonoids. The findings showed relevant changes, allowing winemakers to better select the ratio of fresh and dehydrated grapes in the function of the final desired wine.

Gluten-Free Alternative Grains: Nutritional Evaluation and Bioactive Compounds

Interest in gluten-free grains is increasing, together with major incidences of celiac disease in the last years. Since to date, knowledge of the nutritional and bioactive compounds profile of alternative gluten-free grains is limited, we evaluated the content of water-soluble (thiamine and riboflavin) and liposoluble vitamins, such as carotenoids and tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols), of gluten-free minor cereals and also of pseudocereals. The analysed samples showed a high content of bioactive compounds; in particular, amaranth, cañihua and quinoa are good sources of vitamin E, while millet, sorghum and teff (Eragrostis tef, or William’s Lovegrass) are good sources of thiamine. Moreover, millet provides a fair amount of carotenoids, and in particular of lutein. These data can provide more information on bioactive compounds in gluten-free grains. The use of these grains can improve the nutritional quality of gluten-free cereal-based products, and could avoid the monotony of the celiac diet.

Effect of Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment on Drying Kinetics, Color, and Texture of Parsnip and Carrot

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment on drying kinetics and on color and textural changes in sliced parsnip and carrot. Cell disintegration index measured in parsnips after PEF pretreatment significantly differed from the ones measured for carrots and, consequently, the reduction of the time needed to dry both samples to a final moisture content up to 5% (wet basis). The drying time of the PEF pretreated parsnip was reduced by up to 28% at 70 °C and by up to 21% at 60 °C in carrot, in comparison to untreated samples. The PEF pretreatment influenced the effective diffusivity of water into the samples going from 50 °C to 70 °C: in carrots it ranged between 1.61 × 10^-10 and 3.04 × 10^-10 (m² /s), although, in parsnip, it ranged between 1.97 × 10^-10 and 3.06 × 10^-10 (m² /s). Also, PEF pretreatment influenced color changes: PEF pretreated dried carrots showed a significant (p < .05) reduction in lightness values (L^* ) compared to untreated dried ones, although PEF pretreated parsnip had a significant (p < .05) increase in redness values (a^* ). The PEF treatment did not affect the mechanical properties (p > .05) of carrot and parsnip dried at 50 and 60 °C, whereas at 70 °C a significant increase (p < .05) of the force required to cut both root slices was detected. The choice of a PEF pretreatment of foods to be dried should be related to shorten the drying time and to minimize the loss in quality properties mentioned above.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Dry carrots and parsnip slices can be used as food ingredients for further food preparations but also as healthy snacks, thanks to their health benefits. Pulsed electric field (PEF) resulted to be an effective pretreatment for carrots and parsnips before undergoing convective drying, because it reduced the drying time (up to 28% in parsnip and 21% in carrot slices) and, particularly at mild temperatures (50 to 60 °C), it did not affect the texture properties of both carrot and parsnip. PEF pretreatment of these roots before convective heating can be surely suggested as industrial application.

Kinetics of carotenoids degradation and furosine formation in dried apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.)

The kinetics of carotenoid and color degradation, as well as furosine formation, were investigated in apricot fruits during convective heating at 50, 60 and 70°C. Degradation of carotenoids and color, expressed as total color difference (TCD), followed a first and zero order kinetic, respectively. The activation energy (Ea) for carotenoids degradation ranged from 73.7kJ/mol for 13-cis-β-carotene to 120.7kJ/mol for lutein, being about 91kJ/mol for all-trans-β-carotene. Violaxanthin and anteraxanthin were the most susceptible to thermal treatment. The furosine evolution was fitted at zero order kinetic model. The Ea for furosine formation was found to be 83.3kJ/mol and the Q₁₀ (temperature coefficient) varied from 1.59 to 4.14 at the temperature ranges 50-60°C and 60-70°C, respectively.

Mineral essential elements for nutrition in different chocolate products

In this work, the essential mineral nutritional elements in cocoa beans, in chocolates at different cocoa percentage (60,70,80 and 90%) and in milk chocolate are evaluated. Dark chocolates are confirmed as an excellent source of magnesium (252.2 mg/100 g) and iron (10.9 mg/100 g): in chocolate containing 90% cocoa, their content corresponds to, respectively, 67.0% and 80.3 of Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) in the European Union. The chocolate containing 90% cocoa is also a good source of zinc (3.5 mg/100 g), which is important for the immune system, and selenium (0.1 mg/100 g). Three main components suitable to explain the mineral concentrations are analyzed by factor analysis. The component 1 can be interpreted as the contribution from the cocoa beans, owing to the mineral characteristics of the soil in which they have grown; the component 2 is mainly due to the manipulation and transformation of the cocoa in chocolate, while the component 3 represents the milk powder.

Degradation of carotenoids in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) during drying process

Carotenoids are natural compounds whose nutritional importance comes from the provitamin A activity of some of them and their protection against several serious human disorders. The degradation of carotenoids was investigated during apricot drying by microwave and convective hot-air at 60 and 70 °C. Seven carotenoids were identified: antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, 13-cis-β-carotene, all-trans-β-carotene and 9-cis-β-carotene; among these, all-trans-β-carotene was found to be about 50 % of total carotenoids. First-order kinetic models were found to better describe all-trans-β-carotene reduction during drying, with a degradation rate constant (k1) that increased two folds when temperatures increased by 10 °C, in both methods. No differences were found in k1 between apricots dried by hot air at 70 °C (k1 = 0.0340 h(-1)) and by microwave at 60 °C. The evolution of total carotenoids (117.1 mg/kg on dry basis) during drying highlighted a wider decrease (about 50%) when microwave heating was employed, for both set temperatures. Antheraxantin was found to be the carotenoid most susceptible to heat, disappearing at 6 h during both trials with microwave as well as during convective hot-air at 70 °C. For this reason, antheraxanthin could be a useful marker for the evaluation of thermal damage due to the drying process. Also the degree of isomerization of all-trans-β-carotene could be a useful marker for the evaluation of the drying process.

[Jacopo's chest (bad history of a pleural empyema). A case report]

We present a case of pleural empyema, occurred in a healty 7 years boy. He was admitted to our hospital because of a lobare pneumonitis. The patient was administered with a 2 degrees generation Cefalosporine given intramuscularly and with Corticosteroid (1 mg/kg/die). After an initial improvement of his clinical conditions, he got worse so that he underwent a TC scan which showed the presence of a left pleural empyema requiring the insertion of an intercostal tube drainage followed by an intervention of decortication. The boy had some evidence of a staphylococcal etiology such as the evolution in empyema itself, the augmentation of antistafilolisinic title found during the illness, and the typical finding of blebs on chest radiograph. As cultures from both blood and drainage liquid samples remained sterile, we were unable to demonstrate a clear bacterial etiology of the empyema. It remains doubtful if corticosteroid administration could contribute to the severity of the pneumonia evolution.

[Loeffler syndrome and Mycoplasma pneumonitis. A case report]

We describe a clinical case of Loeffler syndrome occurred in a famale aged 13 years. This syndrome is characterized by fleeting pulmonary infiltrates and blood eosinophilia until 70%. Patients usually are only mildly ill or asymptomatic and recovery occurs from few days to some months. Principle causes are: a) mycetes as Aspergillus; b) helmints as Toxocara, Ancylostoma, Trichinella, Ascaris, Strongyloides, Schistosoma; c) chemical agents such as penicillin, para-aminosalycilic acid, hydralazine, nitrofurantoine, chlorpropamide. This girl came to our observation in good general conditions with murmur reduction on the thorax left side, marked peripheral eosinophilia (E 55% of 6100 white blood cell), right pulmonary infiltrate on RX and CT scan. One month before she had fever, treated with amoxycillin and clavulanic acid. Mantoux, Prick tests for main inhalant allergenes, ACE, repeated stools and seric investigations for parasites, mycetes and organisms, were negative except for IgM anti-Myco-plasma antibodies. Broncholavage showed marked eosinophilia. Smear didn't show any blast. The girl recovered in about 40 days (E 4.1% of 8500 WBC, RX negative). Our hypotesis is a causative role of amoxycillin in inducing the syndrome, even if this is a rare event, with an overlapping of a Mycoplasma infection.

Effect of celiac disease and gluten-free diet on growth hormone-binding protein, insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins

Failure to thrive is common in children with celiac disease. As alterations in the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I (GH-IGF-I) growth axis have been reported in these patients, we studied the behavior of growth hormone-binding proteins (GH-BPs I and II), IGF-I and its binding proteins in 14 children with celiac disease, either before or after a 6-month gluten-free diet. GH-BP II levels were significantly lower in patients during the active phase of the disease than after the diet or in comparison with control subjects, appropriate for age and sex. There was no difference in the GH-BP-I levels of patients and controls, nor did they change after the diet. Blood levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were reduced before the diet in all patients while ligand blotting showed that IGFBP-2 and 1 were increased. All of these parameters normalized after the gluten-free diet. IGFBP-4 was not greatly influenced by the disease. Furthermore, we found a significant, positive correlation between GH-BP II and IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels. The height standard deviation scores and body mass indices of the patients improved significantly after the diet. The body mass index significantly and positively correlated with GH-BP II, IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels. In conclusion, our data show that celiac children had multiple alterations in the growth axis during the active phase of the disease which disappeared during the gluten-free diet.

Volumetric bone mineral density in young women with Turner's syndrome treated with estrogens or estrogens plus growth hormone

To explore the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and recombinant growth hormone (GH) treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) in Turner's syndrome, we assessed volumetric BMD (vBMD), which is less dependent on body and bone sizes, in these patients at final height. The areal BMD (aBMD) was measured in 26 young women with Turner's syndrome (age range 17.5-25.0 years) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and vBMD was calculated. Patients were subdivided as group 1 (n = 12; ERT alone) and group 2 (n = 14; GH + ERT). Years of estrogen exposure were not different between the groups (group 1: 6. 4 +/- 1.5 years; group 2: 5.3 +/- 1.7 years); in group 2, GH therapy was 5.3 +/- 1.4 years. Final heights were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (148.1 +/- 3.0 vs. 142.0 +/- 2.8 cm; p < 0. 0001) as well as aBMD (1.073 +/- 0.118 vs. 0.968 +/- 0.122 g/cm(2); p < 0.04). vBMD was higher in group 2 but not significantly different from group 1 (0.374 +/- 0.030 vs. 0.358 +/- 0.027 g/cm(3); p = 0.169). aBMD was reduced with respect to the normative values in both groups (group 1: -1.97 +/- 1.04 SDS, p < 0.0001 vs. 0; group 2: -0.93 +/- 1.01 SDS, p < 0.005 vs. 0), whereas vBMD was not (group 1: -0.07 +/- 0.79 SDS; group 2: 0.42 +/- 0.82 SDS). Our data suggest that: in Turner's syndrome GH administration improves final height and aBMD, but it does not significantly increase vBMD; aBMD reduction in Turner's syndrome is likely due to the impaired growth and reduced bone size; Turner's patients on ERT from adolescence show vBMD values in the normal range in young adulthood.

[Effect of hormonal treatment on bone mineralization in Turner syndrome]

A review of the literature together with personal results show that both growth hormone (GH) and estrogen treatments improve bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with Turner syndrome. Insofar as GH treatment alone appears to normalize BMD in girls with Turner syndrome it is suggested that substitutive estrogen treatment could be delayed in order to guarantee optimal result for their statural growth, without affecting the quality of their bone mineralization.

Mucus of the human olfactory epithelium contains the insulin-like growth factor-I system which is altered in some neurodegenerative diseases

Growth factors are believed to be involved in the mitotic regulation of the animal olfactory epithelium (OE). We investigated mucus covering the human OE area to see if it contained the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its binding proteins (IGFBPs) and to examine their behaviour in neurodegenerative diseases. Thirty patients with idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia (ILOCA), Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were studied. In 10 controls, we also analyzed the mucus of the respiratory mucosa of the nose and tears. We detected IGF-I in the mucus covering the OE and Western ligand blot analysis (WLB) showed IGFBPs with an apparent Mr of 41, 500/38,500, 34,000 and 24,000, which were immunoprecipitated by specific antisera to IGFBP-3, -2 and -4, respectively. Their levels were higher than those observed in the respiratory mucosa of the nose or in tears. Mucus of the OE of the patients contained significantly reduced levels of IGF-I in comparison with those of controls. The intensity of all the IGFBPs-related bands were reduced in the ILOCA, while the remaining patients had a loss in the amounts of IGFBP-3. Plasma IGF-I and IGFBPs levels were similar in patients and controls. In conclusion, our data show that mucus covering the human OE contains IGF-I and IGFBPs, suggesting that these factors have a role in the activity of the OE. The amounts are reduced in the patients' mucus, possibly reflecting a dysfunction of the OE itself.

Phenolic Compounds in Different Olive Varieties

Phenolic compounds in different olive varieties were determined by HPLC analysis over 2 years. Demethyloleuropein was found in only two (Coratina and Leccino) of the eight varieties studied, so it could be used as varietal marker. Elenolic acid glucoside and hydroxytyrosol can be considered indicators of maturation for olives. In fact, as the olives ripen, their tenor increases whereas oleuropein decreases.

Growth rate and growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone challenge in slowly growing children during chronic administration of clonidine

In this study the effects of chronic administration of clonidine, an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, on the growth rate and GH response to GHRH in 12 "slowly growing" children were reported. Clonidine was administered at the dose of 0.04 mg/m2 body surface twice daily along 12 months. The protocol of the study consisted in five periods of growth rate, insulin-like growth factor-1, basal and GHRH-stimulated GH level evaluation: 1) 6-month pretreatment (P1); 2) 6-month placebo administration (PO); 3) after 4 months of therapy (P1); 4) after 4 months of clonidine withdrawal (P2); 5) after 4 months of therapy reinstatement (P3). No difference was observed between P-1 and P0 when all the parameters were considered. During P1 a significant increase of linear growth (p < 0.05 vs P0 and P-1) was observed while standard deviation of height was not modified. At the end of P2, the growth rate and standard deviation of height were similar to those recorded in P0 and P-1. After reinstatement of clonidine therapy a new but less pronounced rise of the growth rate was found (p < 0.05 vs P1, p < 0.01 vs P0 and P-1). GH, insulin-like growth factor-1, GHRH-stimulated GH levels had significantly increased during P1 than P0 and P-1 (p < 0.05), while during P2 they were similar to P0 and P-1. During P3 a new increase of insulin-like growth factor-I baseline and GHRH-stimulated GH levels were observed. However, these were significantly lower than those observed during P1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma growth hormone-binding protein activity, insulin-like growth factor I, and its binding protein levels in patients with Turner's syndrome: effect of short- and long-term recombinant human growth hormone administration

Plasma growth hormone-binding protein (GH-BP) activity and the levels of IGF-I and its binding proteins (IGFBP) were studied in eight girls with Turner's syndrome before and during recombinant-hGH (r-hGH) administration. Growth hormone and GH-BP activity were assayed at baseline and hourly, over a 12-h period, after an intramuscular bolus of 0.09 mg/kg of the hormone. After 7 d, each patient received r-hGH at 0.33 mg/kg/weekly s.c. every day at nighttime; plasma growth hormone-binding protein activity, blood IGF-I, and IGFBP were evaluated before and on d 7, 30, 180, and 360. Baseline reference values were obtained from 10 bone age-matched healthy girls. Basal GH-BP activity, IGF-I, and IGFBP levels were similar in patients and controls. Four h after the intramuscular injection, GH-BP activity maximally increased and returned to baseline 6-7 h later; during long-term r-hGH administration GH-BP activity peaked at +180 d but declined to pretreatment at +360 d. IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-4 increased under r-hGH and, in contrast to GH-BP activity, remained high throughout the study. In conclusion, in girls with Turner's syndrome, GH-BP activity, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-4 are induced by r-hGH. However, the increase of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 does not require an increased level of the cellular growth hormone receptors, as suggested by the unchanged +360 d values of plasma GH-BP activity compared with baseline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Twenty-four-hour osteocalcin, carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen rhythms in normal and growth-retarded children

The relationships between spontaneous variations in serum 24-h osteocalcin (OC), carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) concentrations and GH secretion, measured as GH response to provocative pharmacologic stimuli and spontaneous GH secretion during 24 h, were evaluated in prepubertal normal children and in GH-deficient and GH-secreting short normal children (SNC). All the subjects showed a circadian rhythm in smoothed 24-h OC and PICP mean data with higher nocturnal values in comparison with diurnal values. Conversely, serum PIINP concentrations did not vary throughout the day. In children with classic GH deficiency and nonclassic GH deficiency, mean 24-h serum levels and smoothed 24-h mean data for OC, PICP, and PIIINP were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) with respect to age-matched controls. SNC showed mean 24-h OC concentrations similar (p = NS) to those we found in age-matched controls, but they had significantly lower (p < 0.001) diurnal 12-h mean data in comparison with controls. SNC also showed both 24-h PICP and PIIINP mean data and smoothed 24-h PICP and PIIINP mean data significantly lower (from p < 0.02 to p < 0.001) at all the time points of measurement in comparison with controls. Twenty-four-hour PICP and PIIINP mean data were positively related to spontaneous 24-h GH concentrations (r = 0.77, p < 0.005 and r = 0.69, p < 0.005, respectively) and growth velocity (r = 0.85, p < 0.005, and r = 0.70, p < 0.005, respectively), whereas 24-h OC mean data were not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vitro effects of growth hormone and other hormones on chondrocytes and osteoblast-like cells

The influence of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), parathyroid hormone(1-34) (PTH(1-34)), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) and 17 beta-oestradiol on proliferation and on production of cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-8 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), was studied in chondrocytes obtained from the growing cartilage of the iliac crest and in the osteoblast-like cell clone SaOS-2. GH and IGF-I were mitogenic for chondrocytes and SaOS-2 cells, as indicated by the dose-related increase in uptake of [3H]thymidine. PTH(1-34) was also mitogenic, while 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited the proliferation of both chondrocytes and SaOS-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. 17 beta-oestradiol was stimulatory in SaOS-2 cells, but gave a biphasic pattern in chondrocytes; it was stimulatory at low concentrations (0.1 nmol/l) and inhibitory at supraphysiological doses (10 nmol/l). Using the cDNA polymerase chain reaction, specific mRNAs for IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-beta were found in chondrocytes, while SaOS-2 cells had a positive signal only for TGF-beta. Specific enzyme immunoassays revealed detectable levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 only in chondrocytes. IL-6 was increased by GH and IGF-I, and lowered by 1,25(OH)2D3 and supraphysiological doses of 17 beta-oestradiol, while PTH(1-34) had no effects. IL-8 was not influenced by GH or IGF-I, was slightly but not significantly increased by PTH(1-34) and was reduced by 1,25(OH)2D3 and 17 beta-oestradiol at supraphysiological doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of long-term treatment with growth hormone on bone and mineral metabolism in children with growth hormone deficiency

The effects of growth hormone (GH) deficiency and recombinant human GH replacement (0.6 IU/kg per week) on bone and mineral metabolism in 26 GH-deficient children were studied for 12 months. Before therapy, all children had significantly reduced serum levels of osteocalcin, carboxyl-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, whereas serum ionized calcium, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were in the normal range. All children had significant reduction of bone density for their chronologic, statural, and bone ages. During therapy with recombinant human GH, a decrease of serum ionized calcium levels and increases of phosphate, osteocalcin, carboxyl-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I, and intact serum levels of parathyroid hormone were found. A significant increase of serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was found at 12 months. The urinary phosphate/urinary creatinine ratio decreased, whereas values for nephrogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate and the ratio of the maximum rate of renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate to the glomerular filtration rate increased. Bone density significantly improved at 12 months, with a complete recovery in 12 children (46.2%). Significant relationships were found among growth velocity, bone density, maximum tubular reabsorption/glomerular filtration rate ratio, and serum levels of carboxyl-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen. The changes in serum levels of this propeptide during the first week of recombinant human GH treatment were positively related to growth velocity at 6 and 12 months and to bone density at 12 months of treatment, whereas the changes in osteocalcin levels were not. We conclude that recombinant human GH treatment caused significant modifications of mineral metabolism and significantly increased bone density, and that measurement of serum levels of the propeptide during the first week of recombinant human GH administration may be a useful tool in predicting improved growth velocity and bone density during long-term recombinant human GH replacement.

[Correlation between growth velocity and hematologic levels of somatomedin C during the treatment with growth hormones (GH) in subjects with "classic" and "non-classic" deficits of GH]

In this study the authors examined 14 subjects with "classic" growth hormone (GH) deficiency and 40 with "non classic" GH deficiency treated with GH for a period of 6-36 months. Height velocity (HV) and plasma Somatomedin C (SmC) levels have been evaluated every 6 months during GH therapy. Both HV and SmC significantly increased (p < 0.001) during GH therapy in comparison to pretreatment values, but without any difference between the two groups; furthermore no significant difference was present among each six-monthly value of SmC. During GH treatment the following correlations resulted between SmC and HV: at time 0, r = 0.494 (p = 0.0004); after 6 months, r = 0.779 (p < 0.0001); after 12 months, r = 0.660 (p = 0.0001); after 18 months, r = 0.657 (p = 0.0001); after 24 months, r = 0.593 (p = 0.0038); after 30 months, r = 0.550 (p = ns); after 36 months, r = 0.465 (p = ns). Furthermore, mean value of SmC (y) correlated with mean value of HV (x) during GH treatment: r = 0.697, p < 0.0001; regression equation: y = 242x + 576. Finally no correlation was present among six-monthly SmC values, including those pre-treatment, and HV values in each of following periods. In conclusion, during GH treatment in subjects with GH deficiency plasma SmC levels correlate with HV, but have not a predictive value of the growth response to GH treatment itself.

Stimulated growth hormone (GH) secretion in children with delays in pubertal development before and after the onset of puberty: relationship with peripheral plasma GH-releasing hormone and somatostatin levels

A reduced GH secretion has often been shown in prepubertal children with delays in pubertal development. In order to study the mechanism underlying this finding, we evaluated peripheral circulating levels of GH, GHRH, and somatostatin (SRIH) before and after the onset of sexual development in a group of eight late maturing children (six boys, two girls), comparing the results with those obtained in two groups of five prepubertal and four pubertal short children with familial short stature. GH was measured by a two-site immunoradiometric assay. Both GHRH and SRIH were assayed by specific RIAs after an acetone-petrolether extraction from plasma. Our data showed a significant increase (P less than 0.001) in GH, GHRH, and SRIH levels (peak vs. basal values) in response to L-dopa administration in all groups. In pubertal children with delays in pubertal development GH and GHRH peak values (15.8 +/- 2.2 micrograms/L and 120 +/- 18 pg/mL, respectively) were significantly greater (P less than 0.001) than in the same subjects before puberty (8.2 +/- 0.9 micrograms/L and 79 +/- 9 pg/mL, respectively), whereas SRIH peak values did not significantly change (41 +/- 6 vs. 41 +/- 5 pg/mL; P = NS). Furthermore, prepubertal subjects with delays in pubertal development showed GH and GHRH peak values lower (P less than 0.001) than those of prepubertal subjects with FSS (13.3 +/- 1.8 micrograms/L and 120 +/- 13 pg/mL, respectively), whereas no statistical difference was present between the two groups of subjects after pubertal development (18.2 +/- 2.9 micrograms/L and 128 +/- 11 pg/mL, respectively). In conclusion, these findings support the assumption that in late maturing subjects during prepubertal period the decreased GH secretion may be ascribed to a reduced GHRH secretion, reversible with the onset of puberty, without change in circulating SRIH levels.

[The correlation between blood concentrations of somatomedin C and the auxological characteristics in short-stature subjects]

In this study the authors evaluated the correlation between plasma somatomedin C (SmC) levels and auxological features in 129 short children, who have been subdivided into four groups: classical growth hormone (GH) deficiency (14 prepubertal subjects), normal responses to provocative stimuli tests, but diminished spontaneous GH secretion (40 prepubertal subjects), normal responses to provocative stimuli tests and normal spontaneous GH secretion (45 prepubertal subjects and 30 subjects at stage G2/B2-Ph2 of puberty). The following correlations with SmC are resulted, when all the subjects were considered: chronological age (r = 0.415, p = 0.0002), bone age (r = 0.557, p less than 0.0001), bone age/chronological age ratio (r = 0.493, p less than 0.0001), height SDs (r = 0.574, p less than 0.0001), height velocity SDs (r = 0.599, p less than 0.0001), but not weight variation % (r = -0.020, p: ns). In conclusion, the results of the study demonstrate a high correlation between SmC levels and auxological features, with the exception of weight.

Bone loss during gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment in girls with true precocious puberty is not due to an impairment of calcitonin secretion

Gonadal steroids drive the significant bone mineral increase that occurs at puberty, while estrogen deprivation in postmenopausal women results in bone mass reduction. We looked for bone mineralization in girls with true precocious puberty (TPP) before and after six months of LH-RH analogs treatment. Calcitonin secretion in these girls were studied too. Bone mineral content (BMC) and BMC/BW ratio (single photon absorptiometry) were measured in seven girls (aged 4.3 to 8.7 years) with TPP before LH-RH agonist therapy (long acting D-Trp6-LH-RH 60 micrograms/kg im every 28 days) was started; the patients were reevaluated after six months of therapy. Before therapy, BMC and BMC/BW were increased for chronological age but appropriate for bone age according to our mineralization normative data. After six months of LH-RH analog administration, 17 beta-estradiol and LH levels were suppressed and BMC and BMC/BW showed a small but significant decrease (respectively -5.4%, p less than 0.02 and -6.3%, p less than 0.02). Basal and calcium stimulated calcitonin levels (total and extractable) did not significantly change during the study period. We conclude that in girls with TPP bone mineralization was increased for chronological age but normal for bone age. The estrogen withdrawal secondary to LH-RH analog therapy caused a reduction in bone mass. Such a bone loss is not due to an impairment of calcitonin secretion.

Evaluation of 24-hour growth hormone spontaneous secretion: comparison with a nocturnal and diurnal 12-hour study

Spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion in 116 short children was studied by sampling blood for GH measurement every 20 min over 24 h. We calculated 24-h mean GH concentration (MGHC), diurnal 12-h MGHC (dMGHC) and nocturnal 12-h MGHC (nMGHC). The children were subdivided into four groups: prepubertal children with 'classical' GH deficiency (group 1, n = 12, low responses to two provocative stimuli tests and MGHC less than 3 ng/ml), prepubertal children with 'nonclassical' GH deficiency (group 2, n = 36, normal GH responses to two provocative tests and MGHC less than 3 ng/ml), short normal children (normal GH responses to two provocative tests and MGHC greater than 3 ng/ml) at stage P1 of puberty (group 3, n = 41) and at stage P2 of puberty (group 4, n = 27). The values of MGHC, dMGHC and nMGHC were significantly higher in groups 3 and 4 than in groups 1 and 2, and in group 4 than in group 3. The values of MGHC and nMGHC were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. MGHC correlated highly with nMGHC and dMGHC (r = 0.97 and 0.94, respectively; p less than 0.001). On the basis of regression equations between MGHC and nMGHC or dMGHC, the study of the diagnostic accuracy showed values higher for nMGHC than for dMGHC: 94.1 vs. 89.6% for sensitivity, and 93.7 vs. 89.7% for specificity, respectively.

[Thyroid and thyrotropin functions in subjects with pituitary nanism treated with growth hormone]

We have evaluated thyroid and thyrotropin functions before the beginning and during Growth Hormone (GH) treatment for a 2-6-year period in a group composed of 21 children (age: 6.6 +/- 1.1 years, m +/- SD) suffering from classic GH deficiency. Circulating levels of thyroxine, and basal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) always resulted in the normal range. TSH response to thyreotropin-releasing hormone administration showed in some subjects (one out of 21 before the start of treatment, 2 out of 16 after 2 years, 3 out of 12 after 4 years and 2 out of 10 after 6 years) a delayed (after 90-120 minutes) and higher peak in comparison to that of normal subjects. All these high and delayed values have been showed in only one occasion by different children, with the exception of a child who has presented the higher values in two occasions. Growth response to GH treatment has not been modified by the change in thyrotropin response, as subjects with high TSH peak have had a height velocity similar to that of the other children in the corresponding periods of study.