Phenolic Compounds and Capsaicinoids in Three Capsicum annuum Varieties: From Analytical Characterization to In Silico Hypotheses on Biological Activity

The affinity of specific phenolic compounds (PCs) and capsaicinoids (CAPs) present in three Capsicum annuum varieties (Friariello, Cayenne and Dzuljunska Sipka) to the transient receptor potential vanilloid member 1 (TRPV1) was investigated by integrating an analytic approach for the simultaneous extraction and analysis through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC/ITMS) and UV detection (HPLC-UV) of PCs and CAPs and structural bioinformatics based on the protein modelling and molecular simulations of protein-ligand docking. Overall, a total of 35 compounds were identified in the different samples and CAPs were quantified. The highest content of total polyphenols was recorded in the pungent Dzuljunska Sipka variety (8.91 ± 0.05 gGAE/Kg DW) while the lowest was found in the non-pungent variety Friariello (3.58 ± 0.02 gGAE/Kg DW). Protein modelling generated for the first time a complete model of the homotetrameric human TRPV1, and it was used for docking simulations with the compounds detected via the analytic approach, as well as with other compounds, as an inhibitor reference. The simulations indicate that different capsaicinoids can interact with the receptor, providing details on the molecular interaction, with similar predicted binding energy values. These results offer new insights into the interaction of capsaicinoids with TRPV1 and their possible actions.

Grape Canes from Typical Cultivars of Campania (Southern Italy) as a Source of High-Value Bioactive Compounds: Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

The purpose of the current study was to determine the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities in grape cane extracts from typical cultivars of Southern Italy. Aqueous extracts at different pHs (1-13) were prepared from "Aglianico", "Fiano", and "Greco" grape canes. The results demonstrated that an alkaline pH (13.00) produced the best polyphenol-rich extracts, as the total phenolic content was more than double when compared to the respective extracts prepared at pH 1.00. "Greco" grape canes gave the highest quantity of phenolic compounds at each pH, ranging from 42.7 ± 0.4 to 104.3 ± 3.0 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/g Dry Extract (DE) from pH 1.00 to 13.00. The Radical Scavenging Activity (RSA) and the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) were measured. The highest antioxidant activity was showed by "Greco" extract at pH 7.00. Seventy-five compounds were identified in the extracts by HPLC-MS with six of them described for the first time in grape canes. Procyanidins were highly abundant in extracts at pH 7.00, whereas stilbenoids were the most represented compounds at pH 13.00. Very strong antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses was recorded for the extracts at pH 7.00 and 13.00 that were active in the early stages of infection by acting directly against the viral particles. The overall results suggest that grape canes, currently underutilized, can be usefully valorised by providing active extracts to use as antioxidant and antiviral agents.

CK2 and PI3K are direct molecular targets of quercetin in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Despite the encouraging results of the innovative therapeutic treatments, complete remission is uncommon in patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which remains an essentially incurable disease. Recently, clinical trials based on BH3-mimetic drugs showed positive outcomes in subjects with poor prognostic features. However, resistance to treatments occurs in a significant number of patients. We previously reported that the multi-kinase inhibitor quercetin, a natural flavonol, restores sensitivity to ABT-737, a BH3-mimetic compound, in both leukemic cell lines and B-cells isolated from patients. To identify the molecular target of quercetin, we employed a new cell line, HG3, obtained by immortalization of B-cells from a chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patient at the later stage of disease. We confirmed that quercetin in association with ABT-737 synergistically enhances apoptosis in HG3 (combination index < 1 for all fractions affected). We also reported that the cellular uptake of quercetin is extremely rapid, with an intracellular concentration of about 38.5 ng/10⁶ cells, after treatment with 25 μM for 5 min. We demonstrated that the activity of protein kinase CK2, which positively triggers PI₃K/Akt pathway by inactivating PTEN phosphatase, is inhibited by quercetin immediately after its addition to HG3 cells (0–2 min). PI₃K activity was also inhibited by quercetin within 60 min from the treatment. The combined inhibition of CK2 and PI₃K kinase activities by quercetin restored ABT-737 sensitivity and increased lethality in human leukemia cells.

Identification and Quantification of Flavonoids from Two Southern Italian Cultivars of Allium cepa L., Tropea (Red Onion) and Montoro (Copper Onion), and Their Capacity to Protect Human Erythrocytes from Oxidative Stress

Onions (Allium cepa) are consumed worldwide and represent an important source of dietary phytochemicals with proven antioxidant properties, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, thiosulfinates, and anthocyanins. Epidemiological and experimental data suggest that regular consumption of onions is associated with a reduced risk of degenerative disorders. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the biological properties of different varieties of onions. Here, we characterized for the first time a variety of onion, called Ramata di Montoro (coppery onion from Montoro), grown in a niche area in southern Italy, and compared its phenolic profile and antioxidant properties to a commercial ecotype of red onion, Tropea, also present in southern Italy. An analytical method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detection and mass spectrometry was used to separate and characterize the phenolic fraction (anthocyanins and flavonols) extracted from both coppery and red types. The main compounds detected in the two ecotypes were quercetin and quercetin glucosides, isorhamnetin glucosides, kaempferol glucoside, and, among anthocyanins, cyanidin glucosides. Tropea ecotype onion showed a higher content of flavonols (632.82 mg/kg fresh weight) than Montoro type onion (252.91 mg/kg fresh weight). Accordingly, the antioxidant activity of the former was 2.8-fold higher compared to the latter. More pronounced were the differences existing between the four anthocyanins detected in the two ecotypes, with those in the Tropea ecotype onion present at concentrations 20-230-fold higher than in the Montoro type onion. Both extracts reduced LDL oxidation about 6-fold and protected human erythrocytes from oxidative damage induced by HClO by about 40%. In addition, as a consequence of HClO treatment, glutathione concentration in erythrocytes was reduced about 50% and pretreatment with onion extracts induced a recovery of glutathione level by about 15-22%. Qualitative differences highlighted in the chemical composition of the two phenolic extracts, especially the total content of anthocyanins, which was 30-fold higher in Montoro type onion compared to Tropea ecotype, can be associated with the protective effects measured against oxidative damage induced in human erythrocytes.

Analysis of different European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars: authentication, phenotypic features, and phenolic profiles

Hazelnuts exhibit functional properties due to their content in fatty acids and phenolic compounds that could positively affect human health. The food industry requires precise traits for morphological, chemical, and physical kernel features so that some cultivars could be more suitable for specific industrial processing. In this study, agronomical and morphological features of 29 hazelnut cultivars were evaluated and a detailed structural characterization of kernel polyphenols was performed, confirming the presence of protocatechuic acid, flavan-3-ols such as catechin, procyanidin B2, six procyanidin oligomers, flavonols, and one dihydrochalcone in all the analyzed cultivars. In addition, an innovative methodology based on the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis of peptide/protein components extracted from kernels was developed for the authentication of the most valuable cultivars. The proposed method is rapid, simple, and reliable and holds the potential to be applied in quality control processes. These results could be useful in hazelnut cultivar evaluation and choice for growers, breeders, and food industry.

Effect of the method of conception and embryo transfer procedure on mid-gestation placenta and fetal development in an IVF mouse model

BACKGROUND

Abnormal placentation is a potential mechanism to explain the increased incidence of low birthweight observed after IVF. This study evaluates, in a mouse model, whether the method of conception and embryo transfer affect placentation and fetal development.

METHODS

IVF blastocysts (CF1 x B6D2F1/J) were cultured in Whitten's medium (IVF(WM), n = 55) or K modified simplex optimized medium with amino acids (IVF(KAA), n = 56). Embryos were transferred to the uteri of pseudo-pregnant recipients. Two control groups were created: unmanipulated embryos produced by natural mating (in vivo group, n = 64) and embryos produced by natural mating that were flushed from uterus and immediately transferred to pseudo-pregnant recipients (flushed blastocysts, FB group, n = 57). At gestation age 12.5 days, implantation sites were collected and fixed; fetuses and placentas were weighed and their developmental stage (DS) evaluated. Placental areas and vascular volume fractions were calculated; parametric statistics were applied as appropriate.

RESULTS

IVF fetuses showed a modest but significant delay in development compared with FB mice (P < 0.05). In addition, IVF conceptuses were consistently smaller than FB (P < 0.05). Importantly, these differences persisted when analyzing fetuses of similar DS. The placenta/fetus ratio was larger in the IVF group (IVF(WM) 0.95; IVF(KAA) = 0.90) than the FB group (0.72) (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Gross morphology of the placenta and ratio labyrinth/fetal area were equivalent in the IVF and FB groups, as were percentage of fetal blood vessels, maternal blood spaces and trophoblastic components.

CONCLUSIONS

In vitro embryo culture affects fetal and placental development; this could explain the lower birthweight in IVF offspring.

Mammary implants: laboratory simulation of recreational diving conditions

To ascertain whether mammary implants are prone to changes in conformation or structure if they are submitted to recreational dives, eight mammary implants were submitted to 40 simulated dives to imitate an average recreational diving schedule. Matching implants were used as a control group. Photographs were taken before and after completion of the protocol. All implants were observed for changes in volume and checked for integrity. Variations in density were evaluated using a Tc scan. No changes in volume occurred after each dive. None of the implants showed ruptures, and Tc scanning failed to reveal any differences in density between tested and control implants. Cohesive-gel implants submitted to the simulated dives showed some morphological alterations. This study indicates that the mammary implants tested could be implanted in a sports diver, but raises concern about whether the increased exposure to stress could negatively affect their durability.

[The role of hysteroscopy in the follow up of post-mastectomy patients undergoing adjuvant therapy with Tamoxifen]

The authors report on up to date knowledge of the risk of endometrial carcinoma women operated on mastectomy for breast carcinoma and treated with TAM. Starting from their own clinical and scientific experience, the authors follow a group of such patients with a strict monitoring, to ascertain the eventual comparison of dysplastic and neoplastic endometrial pathologies. The group numbers 18 patients and the aim of the study is to evaluate the importance of hysteroscopy as a diagnostic approach for this iatrogenic pathology. The authors affirm the validity of this partially invasive diagnostic method that has to be integrated with clinical and laboratory parameters that are justified by the cost/benefit ratio always favourable for the diagnosis of a neoplastic pathology.

The role of the administration time of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in colorectal cancer surgery: a review of 6,069 patients from 36 randomized clinical trials

The aim of the present report was to establish the effectiveness of different prophylactic antibiotic regimens and administration times in colorectal cancer surgery. Six thousand and sixty nine patients from 36 selected randomized clinical trials, published between 1980 and 1989, were reviewed. The occurrence of septic events, isolated bacterial strains, fever and postoperative hospitalization times were also analyzed. The therapeutic schedules that included the perioperative administration of antibiotics provided better results that those that did not (p. less than .0001 for infections both specifically related and unrelated to colorectal surgery). The number of postoperative administrations did not affect the clinical results, even if the predominant choice was to give more than one administration of antibiotics. A factorial design demonstrated that prolonging the perioperative administrations up to the postoperative period provided statistically significant benefits (p less than .0001) only with regard to the risk of infections that were not specifically related to colorectal surgery.

The role of natural killer cells in murine cytomegalovirus eye infection

PURPOSE

To study the role of natural killer cells in the dissemination of virus to the eye and virus growth as well as the production of lesions in the eye during primary infection of murine cytomegalovirus.

METHODS

Virus activity and lesion production by murine cytomegalovirus in various organs of natural killer cell-depleted BALB/c strain of inbred mice were compared with those of immunocompetent normal BALB/c mice.

RESULTS

In mice injected intraperitoneally with murine cytomegalovirus, virus could be isolated from 50% of eyes in the natural killer cell-depleted group whereas no virus was detected from any eye in the control group. In natural killer cell-depleted mice with positive virus isolation from eyes, no murine cytomegalovirus was isolated from either optic nerves or trigeminal ganglia whereas virus was detected from blood lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, and plasma. After intravitreal injection of murine cytomegalovirus, virus titers in eyes of natural killer cell-depleted mice were significantly higher than those in the control group. Derangement of retinal cell layer and inflammatory cells as well as cytomegalic cells in iris and ciliary body were noted in natural killer cell-depleted group, whereas no such changes were observed in the eyes of the control mice.

CONCLUSION

Natural killer cell depletion enhances the dissemination of murine cytomegalovirus to the eye through the hematogenous route, and increases virus multiplication as well as lesion production in the eye.

Can evoked phonomyography be used to recognize fast and slow muscle in man?

The present study is aimed at ascertaining if muscle sound might be used as a detector of the contractile properties of individual human muscles "in vivo". In order to test this hypothesis, Soleus muscle (slow) and Vastus Lateralis Femoris muscle (fast) were investigated in three healthy subjects during electrically elicited contractions. Evoked phonomyograms were obtained from isometric single twitch contractions using a microphonic apparatus. Time and frequency domain analysis were performed. Evoked phonomyogram rising time values obtained from the two muscles are significantly different (p less than .01) and this difference is clearly due to their different mechanical properties. The power spectrum of all signals was obtained by means of harmonic analysis routine and mean frequency thus obtained was taken into account. Power spectrum values are approximately 1.5 times greater in fast muscle than in slow muscle (p less than .01). These findings lead us to the conclusion that evoked phonomyography can be considered a useful technique for the assessment of mechanical properties of individual human muscles.

Protective effect of anti-glycoprotein D antibody on herpetic chorioretinitis in newborn rabbits

Subcutaneous injection of type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) (10(3) PFU) to newborn rabbits produced severe skin lesions and wide dissemination of the virus to various organs including the eye. Ocular lesions were characterized by retinal folds and choroiditis. HSV could be isolated from mononuclear cells (MNCs) of infected animal blood. Newborn rabbits treated with monoclonal antibody (MAb) against glycoprotein D (gD) of HSV on days 0, 2 and 4 postinfection had little or no skin lesions (0.0-2.3 mm) compared to controls (2.8-13.0 mm). In addition, the MAb treatment significantly suppressed dissemination of the virus to the eye (0% in MAb-treated vs 83% in control) and other organs and reduced the rate of chorioretinitis (0% in MAb-treated vs 50% in control). The treatment of HSV-infected MNCs with MAb resulted in 91-100% reduction in infectivity of the cells. The results suggest that anti-gD MAb protects newborn rabbits from HSV-2 eye infection by neutralizing the virus in skin and inactivating HSV-infected MNCs in blood.

In vivo reactivation of latent murine cytomegalovirus in the eye by immunosuppressive treatment

Intravitreal inoculation of 10(3) pfu of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to 3-week-old BALB/c mice resulted in virus isolation from eye homogenates for 2 weeks and from co-cultured specimens of the same eye up to 5 weeks after inoculation, indicating that MCMV in the eye became latent 2 weeks after the virus inoculation. Immunosuppressive treatment with daily intramuscular injections of cyclosporine (40 micrograms/g) and cortisone acetate (125 micrograms/g) 9 weeks after intravitreal MCMV inoculation resulted in isolation of infectious virus from ten of 44 eye homogenates (10 of 22 mice) during a 3-week period, indicating in vivo reactivation of latent ocular MCMV. No virus was isolated from eye homogenates of similarly infected mice with sham immunosuppression (daily intramuscular saline injections), nor was any virus isolated from uninfected eyes with immunosuppressive treatment. Three weeks of daily cyclosporine and cortisone injections depleted L3T4+ cells to 6.0%, Lyt-2+ cells to 20% and anti-MCMV antibody to 10% of untreated mice. The results suggest that the eye can serve as a site of latent MCMV that can be reactivated by immunosuppressive means.

[Cardiovascular effects of isometric contraction of the masticatory muscles in humans]

The cardiovascular responses to static exercise do not include, until now, studies about masticatory muscles. In this work the cardiocirculatory effects of the isometric contraction of masticatory muscles were compared with those evoked by the handgrip exercise. Non invasive and, in one case, invasive (aortic catheterism) monitoring of arterial blood pressure was performed. The findings show that mean blood pressure and especially heart rate do not increase during static exercise of masticatory muscles as reported in the literature for other muscular groups: it is suggested that the peculiar architecture of masticatory muscles may explain the absence of significant cardiovascular response to their isometric contraction.

Induction of Fc and C3b receptors on rabbit corneal cells by herpes simplex virus

The expression of receptors for Fc portion (FcR) of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and for a C3b component of complement (C3bR) by herpes simplex virus (HSV) was studied in primary cultures of rabbit corneal cells. Monolayer cultures of epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells of the rabbit cornea were infected with three strains each of type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 HSV (HSV-2). Rosette methods were used to detect receptors by means of sheep erythrocytes sensitized with rabbit IgG for FcR and C3b-coated sheep erythrocytes for C3bR. The FcR were expressed regularly on epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells by all three strains of both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The C3bR, however, were expressed only by HSV-1 on epithelial and stromal cells. Little or no C3bR activities could be detected on endothelial cells infected with any strain of HSV-1 or HSV-2. The FcR and C3bR expressed on corneal cells were induced by HSV and were blocked by monoclonal antibody to HSV-1 glycoprotein E(gE) or glycoprotein C(gC) respectively, confirming findings of other investigators that gE acts as FcR and gC as C3bR.

Ocular toxoplasmosis in immunosuppressed nonhuman primates

To investigate the role of cellular immunodeficiency in recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, six Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) with healed toxoplasmic lesions of the retina were immunosuppressed by total lymphoid irradiation. Three months prior to irradiation 30,000 Toxoplasma gondii organisms of the Beverley strain had been inoculated onto the macula of eye in each monkey via a pars plana approach. Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis developed in each animal, and lesions were allowed to heal without treatment. During total lymphoid irradiation animals received 2000 centigrays (cGy) over a 7-week period. Irradiation resulted in an immediate drop in total lymphocyte counts and decreased ability to stimulate lymphocytes by phytohemagglutinin. Weekly ophthalmoscopic examinations following irradiation failed to show evidence of recurrent ocular disease despite persistent immunodeficiency. Four months after irradiation live organisms were reinoculated onto the nasal retina of the same eye in each animal. Retinochoroidal lesions identical to those seen in primary disease developed in five of six animals. Toxoplasma organisms therefore were able to proliferate in ocular tissue following the administration of immunosuppressive therapy. This study fails to support the hypothesis that cellular immunodeficiency alone will initiate recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Results suggest that reactivation of disease from encysted organisms involves factors other than suppression of Toxoplasma proliferation. If reactivation occurs by other mechanisms, however, cellular immunodeficiency then may allow development of extensive disease.

Protective effect of passive immunization on herpetic retinitis of newborn rabbits

We studied the protective effects of passive immunization with virus specific antibody in newborn rabbits inoculated subcutaneously with type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV-2). Newborn rabbits given anti-HSV-2 antibody intraperitoneally (IP) on days 0, 2 and 4 post infection had smaller herpetic skin lesions and reduced mortality when compared to controls. In addition, the IP treatment using this schedule reduced virus growth in the skin lesions and virus dissemination, so that it decreased the frequency of herpetic retinitis. When the IP antibody administration was started at 24 hours post virus inoculation, according to the schedule days 1, 3 and 5, there was less protection; larger skin lesions, higher mortality, and greater evidence of virus dissemination. Also HSV-infected mononuclear cells (MNCs) treated with anti-HSV serum resulted in a significant reduction in the number of infected MNCs. The results of these studies suggest that anti-HSV-2 antibody contributes to protection against HSV-2 infection of skin as well as eyes, probably by inactivation of the virus locally at the skin inoculation site, and by combating the hematogenous spread of HSV-infected MNCs as well as free virus to various organs including the eye.

Role of lymphocyte and antibody in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated herpetic uveitis

We investigated the role of various immune components in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated experimental herpetic uveitis. Inbred III/J strain of rabbits were sensitized with an intravitreal injection of 10(3) PFU of type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV), and sensitized cervical lymph node (LN) cells were obtained on postinfection day 12. Intravitreal injection to the normal III/J rabbit eye of HSV antigen with either sensitized LN cells or anti-HSV serum failed to induce uveitis, whereas intravitreal injection of HSV-antigen with both sensitized LN cells and anti-HSV serum produced severe uveitis within six hours. The combination of sensitized LN cells, HSV-antigen and normal rabbit serum, or that of normal LN cells, HSV antigen and anti-HSV serum, did not induce uveitis. Further studies using B lymphocyte and T lymphocyte fractions from sensitized LN showed that only the combination of sensitized T lymphocytes, HSV antigen and anti-HSV serum regularly produced uveitis following intravitreal injection. These results indicate that the interaction of HSV antigen, sensitized T lymphocytes and anti-HSV antibody may play a role in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated herpetic uveitis.

Suppression of secondary herpes simplex uveitis by cyclosporine

The authors studied the effect of an immunosuppressive agent, cyclosporine (CyA), on experimental secondary herpes simplex (HS) uveitis. Secondary HS uveitis was induced in a rabbit eye that had recovered from primary HS uveitis by challenging it with an intravitreal injection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigen. Daily intramuscular injections of CyA (25 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days prior to the intravitreal challenge with HSV antigen significantly suppressed the induction of secondary HS uveitis, but daily injections of CyA after the challenge with HSV antigen was ineffective. Intravitreal injections of CyA (5 mg) 7 days and 3 days prior to the HSV challenge were less effective, but the combined treatment with seven daily intramuscular CyA and two intravitreal CyA injections prior to the HSV challenge was most effective in the prevention of the uveitis. The daily intramuscular treatment with CyA resulted in a marked reduction of cell-mediated immunity while leaving the level of circulating HSV specific antibody high. No reactivation of latent HSV was detected in trigeminal and superior cervical ganglia of CyA-treated rabbits.

Different susceptibilities of skin to type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex viruses in newborn rabbits

Skin infections with type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) were compared with skin infections with type 2 virus (HSV-2). Five strains each of HSV-1 and HSV-2 were tested by injecting 10(3) 50% tissue culture infective doses of each strain subcutaneously into 1-day-old New Zealand white rabbits. All five strains of HSV- 2 produced severe skin lesions that resulted in wide dissemination of the infection to many organs, paralysis of the hind legs, and finally death. The virus could be isolated frequently from skin lesions, from various organs (liver, lungs, adrenal glands, brain, and eyes), and from circulating leukocytes and plasma. In contrast, all five strains of HSV-1 failed to produce significant skin lesions or dissemination of virus, only half of the skin lesions yielded HSV, and no virus could be isolated from the blood. These results indicate that HSV-1 dose not grow well in the skin of newborn rabbits and fails to disseminate, whereas HSV-2 is dermatotropic and disseminates readily to many organs by hematogenous routes.