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Colognesi M, Shkodra A, Gabbia D, Kawamata H, Manfredi PL, Manfredi G, De Martin S. Sex-dependent effects of the uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist REL-1017 in G93A-SOD1 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1384829. [PMID: 38765264 PMCID: PMC11100767 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1384829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by the demise of motor neurons has been linked to excitotoxicity caused by excessive calcium influx via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), suggesting that uncompetitive NMDAR antagonism could be a strategy to attenuate motor neuron degeneration. REL-1017, the dextro-isomer of racemic methadone, is a low-affinity uncompetitive NMDAR antagonist. Importantly, in humans REL-1017 has shown excellent tolerability in clinical trials for major depression. Methods Here, we tested if REL-1017 improves the disease phenotypes in the G93A SOD1 mouse, a well-established model of familial ALS, by examining survival and motor functions, as well as the expression of genes and proteins involved in neuroplasticity. Results We found a sex-dependent effect of REL-1017 in G93A SOD1 mice. A delay of ALS symptom onset, assessed as 10%-decrease of body weight (p < 0.01 vs. control untreated mice) and an extension of lifespan (p < 0.001 vs. control untreated mice) was observed in male G93A SOD1 mice. Female G93A SOD1 mice treated with REL-1017 showed an improvement of muscle strength (p < 0.01 vs. control untreated mice). Both males and females treated with REL-1017 showed a decrease in hind limb clasping. Sex-dependent effects of REL-1017 were also detected in molecular markers of neuronal plasticity (PSD95 and SYN1) in the spinal cord and in the GluN1 NMDAR subunit in quadricep muscles. Conclusion In conclusion, this study provides preclinical in vivo evidence supporting the clinical evaluation of REL-1017 in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Colognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Atea Shkodra
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Hibiki Kawamata
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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2
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Gabbia D, Sayaf K, Zanotto I, Colognesi M, Frion-Herrera Y, Carrara M, Russo FP, De Martin S. Tyrosol attenuates NASH features by reprogramming the hepatic immune milieu. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 969:176453. [PMID: 38408597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, and no drugs have been approved for its therapy. Among plant-derived molecules, phenolic compounds of extra virgin olive oil like tyrosol (Tyr) had demonstrated multiple beneficial actions for liver health, including the modulation of inflammation in fibrosis. This study aims at assessing the protective effect and mechanism of Tyr in invitro and in vivo models of NASH, with a focus on the hepatic immune microenvironment and extrahepatic manifestations. The effect of Tyr was evaluated in cellular models of NASH, obtained by co-culturing palmitic and oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells with THP1-derived M1 macrophages and LX2 cells, and in a mouse model of NASH induced by a high fructose-high fat diet combined to CCl4 treatment. In vitro Tyr reduced fatty acid (FA) accumulation in HepG2 cells and displayed a beneficial effect on LX2 activation and macrophage differentiation. In vivo, beside reducing steatosis and fibrosis in NASH animals, Tyr prevented inflammation, as demonstrated by the reduction of hepatic inflammatory foci, and immune cells like CD86+ macrophages (p < 0.05), CD4+ (p < 0.05) and T helper effector CD4+ FoxP3- CD62L-lymphocytes (p < 0.05). Also, the prooxidant enzyme NOX1 and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and IL6 (p < 0.05) were reduced by Tyr. Notably, in Tyr-treated animals, a significant increase of CD4+ FoxP3+ Treg cells (p < 0.05) was observed, involved in regenerative pathways. Moreover, Tyr attenuated the fatigue and anxious behavior observed in NASH mice. In conclusion, Tyr effectively reduced NASH-related steatosis, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation, displaying a beneficial effect on the hepatic immune infiltrate, indicating its possible development as a therapeutic agent for NASH due to its multifaceted mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Katia Sayaf
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Colognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Yahima Frion-Herrera
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Floreani A, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Are Gender Differences Important for Autoimmune Liver Diseases? Life (Basel) 2024; 14:500. [PMID: 38672770 PMCID: PMC11050899 DOI: 10.3390/life14040500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Gender Medicine has had an enormous expansion over the last ten years. Autoimmune liver diseases include several conditions, i.e., autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and conditions involving the liver or biliary tree overlapping with AIH, as well as IgG4-related disease. However, little is known about the impact of sex in the pathogenesis and natural history of these conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide an update of the gender disparities among the autoimmune liver diseases by reviewing the data published from 1999 to 2023. The epidemiology of these diseases has been changing over the last years, due to the amelioration of knowledge in their diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment. The clinical data collected so far support the existence of sex differences in the natural history of autoimmune liver diseases. Notably, their history could be longer than that which is now known, with problems being initiated even at a pediatric age. Moreover, gender disparity has been observed during the onset of complications related to end-stage liver disease, including cancer incidence. However, there is still an important debate among researchers about the impact of sex and the pathogenesis of these conditions. With this review, we would like to emphasize the urgency of basic science and clinical research to increase our understanding of the sex differences in autoimmune liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- Scientific Consultant IRCCS Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy
- University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
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Gabbia D, De Martin S. Insights into Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Pathophysiology to Novel Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4188. [PMID: 38673774 PMCID: PMC11049888 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer, accounts for 830,180 related deaths worldwide in 2020, according to GLOBOCAN, representing the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, with a five-year survival rate of about 18% for advanced stage, and the second leading cause in men of cancer-related mortality worldwide [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
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5
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Hosni S, Kilian V, Klümper N, Gabbia D, Sieckmann K, Corvino D, Winkler A, Saponaro M, Wörsdörfer K, Schmidt D, Hahn O, Zanotto I, Bertlich M, Toma M, Bald T, Eckstein M, Hölzel M, Geyer M, Ritter M, Wachten D, De Martin S, Alajati A. Adipocyte Precursor-Derived NRG1 Promotes Resistance to FGFR Inhibition in Urothelial Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2024; 84:725-740. [PMID: 38175774 PMCID: PMC10911805 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Aberrations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family members are frequently observed in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC), and blocking the FGF/FGFR signaling axis is used as a targeted therapeutic strategy for treating patients. Erdafitinib is a pan-FGFR inhibitor, which has recently been approved by the FDA for mUC with FGFR2/3 alterations. Although mUC patients show initial response to erdafitinib, acquired resistance rapidly develops. Here, we found that adipocyte precursors promoted resistance to erdafitinib in FGFR-dependent bladder and lung cancer in a paracrine manner. Moreover, neuregulin 1 (NRG1) secreted from adipocyte precursors was a mediator of erdafitinib resistance by activating human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (ERBB3; also known as HER3) signaling, and knockdown of NRG1 in adipocyte precursors abrogated the conferred paracrine resistance. NRG1 expression was significantly downregulated in terminally differentiated adipocytes compared with their progenitors. Pharmacologic inhibition of the NRG1/HER3 axis using pertuzumab reversed erdafitinib resistance in tumor cells in vitro and prolonged survival of mice bearing bladder cancer xenografts in vivo. Remarkably, data from single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that NRG1 was enriched in platelet-derived growth factor receptor-A (PDGFRA) expressing inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts, which is also expressed on adipocyte precursors. Together, this work reveals a paracrine mechanism of anti-FGFR resistance in bladder cancer, and potentially other cancers, that is amenable to inhibition using available targeted therapies. SIGNIFICANCE Acquired resistance to FGFR inhibition can be rapidly promoted by paracrine activation of the NRG1/HER3 axis mediated by adipocyte precursors and can be overcome by the combination of pertuzumab and erdafitinib treatment. See related commentary by Kolonin and Anastassiou, p. 648.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Hosni
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Viola Kilian
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Niklas Klümper
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Katharina Sieckmann
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dillon Corvino
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Anja Winkler
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Miriam Saponaro
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Karin Wörsdörfer
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Doris Schmidt
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Hahn
- Clinic of Urology, University Hospital Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinic of Urology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marina Bertlich
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Marieta Toma
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Tobias Bald
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen-Nuernberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Geyer
- Institute of Structural Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Abdullah Alajati
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
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Floreani A, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Current Perspectives on the Molecular and Clinical Relationships between Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2194. [PMID: 38396870 PMCID: PMC10888596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterised by the immune-mediated destruction of small and medium intrahepatic bile ducts, with variable outcomes and progression. This review summarises the state of the art regarding the risk of neoplastic progression in PBC patients, with a particular focus on the molecular alterations present in PBC and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most frequent liver cancer in these patients. Major risk factors are male gender, viral infections, e.g., HBV and HCV, non-response to UDCA, and high alcohol intake, as well as some metabolic-associated factors. Overall, HCC development is significantly more frequent in patients with advanced histological stages, being related to liver cirrhosis. It seems to be of fundamental importance to unravel eventual dysfunctional molecular pathways in PBC patients that may be used as biomarkers for HCC development. In the near future, this will possibly take advantage of artificial intelligence-designed algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
- Scientific Consultant IRCCS Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
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Lai E, Williams J, Abalo R, Gabbia D. Editorial: Women in gastrointestinal and hepatic pharmacology 2022. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1359135. [PMID: 38259294 PMCID: PMC10801192 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1359135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Lai
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jessica Williams
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Raquel Abalo
- Área de Farmacología y Nutrición, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Alcorcón, Spain
- Unidad Asociada R+D+i del Instituto de Química Médica (IQM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- High Performance Research Group in Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Digestive System (NeuGut-URJC). URJC, Alcorcón, Spain
- Grupo de Trabajo de Ciencias Básicas en Dolor y Analgesia de la Sociedad Española del Dolor (SED), Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Trabajo de Cannabinoides de la SED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Gabbia D, De Martin S. Targeting the Adipose Tissue-Liver-Gut Microbiota Crosstalk to Cure MASLD. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1471. [PMID: 38132297 PMCID: PMC10741127 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a complex system, playing a peculiar role in regulating innate and systemic immunity. Increasing evidence links dysfunctional gut microbiota to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) due to the activation of multiple pathways in the gut and in the liver, including those mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), that sustain hepatic inflammation. Thus, many efforts have been made to unravel the role of microbiota-associated dysfunction in MASLD, with the final aim of finding novel strategies to improve liver steatosis and function. Moreover, recent evidence underlines the role of adipose tissue in sustaining hepatic inflammation during MASLD development. In this review, we focus on the recently discovered strategies proposed to improve the alteration of gut microbiota observed in MASLD patients, with a particular insight into those known to modulate gut microbiota-associated dysfunction and to affect the complex crosstalk between the gut, the adipose tissue, and the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 351131 Padova, Italy;
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Sayaf K, Zanotto I, Gabbia D, Alberti D, Pasqual G, Zaramella A, Fantin A, De Martin S, Russo FP. Sex Drives Functional Changes in the Progression and Regression of Liver Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16452. [PMID: 38003640 PMCID: PMC10671597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common and reversible feature of liver damage associated with many chronic liver diseases, and its onset is influenced by sex. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and regeneration, focusing on understanding the mechanistic gaps between females and males. We injected increasing doses of carbon tetrachloride into female and male mice and maintained them for a washout period of eight weeks to allow for liver regeneration. We found that male mice were more prone to developing severe liver fibrosis as a consequence of early chronic liver damage, supported by the recruitment of a large number of Ly6Chigh MoMφs and neutrophils. Although prolonged liver damage exacerbated the fibrosis in mice of both sexes, activated HSCs and Ly6Chigh MoMφs were more numerous and active in the livers of female mice than those of male mice. After eight weeks of washout, only fibrotic females reported no activated HSCs, and a phenotype switching of Ly6Chigh MoMφs to anti-fibrogenic Ly6Clow MoMφs. The early stages of liver fibrosis mostly affected males rather than females, while long-term chronic liver damage was not influenced by sex, at least for liver fibrosis. Liver repair and regeneration were more efficient in females than in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Sayaf
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Dafne Alberti
- Laboratory of Synthetic Immunology, Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (G.P.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Pasqual
- Laboratory of Synthetic Immunology, Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (G.P.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Zaramella
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Alberto Fantin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Canato E, Grigoletto A, Zanotto I, Tedeschini T, Campara B, Quaglio G, Toffoli G, Mandracchia D, Dinarello A, Tiso N, Argenton F, Sayaf K, Guido M, Gabbia D, De Martin S, Pasut G. Anti-HER2 Super Stealth Immunoliposomes for Targeted-Chemotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301650. [PMID: 37590033 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Liposomes play an important role in the field of drug delivery by virtue of their biocompatibility and versatility as carriers. Stealth liposomes, obtained by surface decoration with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules, represent an important turning point in liposome technology, leading to significant improvements in the pharmacokinetic profile compared to naked liposomes. Nevertheless, the generation of effective targeted liposomes-a central issue for cancer therapy-has faced several difficulties and clinical phase failures. Active targeting remains a challenge for liposomes. In this direction, a new Super Stealth Immunoliposomes (SSIL2) composed of a PEG-bi-phospholipids derivative is designed that stabilizes the polymer shielding over the liposomes. Furthermore, its counterpart, conjugated to the fragment antigen-binding of trastuzumab (Fab'TRZ -PEG-bi-phospholipids), is firmly anchored on the liposomes surface and correctly orients outward the targeting moiety. Throughout this study, the performances of SSIL2 are evaluated and compared to classic stealth liposomes and stealth immunoliposomes in vitro in a panel of cell lines and in vivo studies in zebrafish larvae and rodent models. Overall, SSIL2 shows superior in vitro and in vivo outcomes, both in terms of safety and anticancer efficacy, thus representing a step forward in targeted cancer therapy, and valuable for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Canato
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Antonella Grigoletto
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Tommaso Tedeschini
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Benedetta Campara
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Giovanna Quaglio
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini n. 2, Aviano, 33081, Italy
| | - Delia Mandracchia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Alberto Dinarello
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Francesco Argenton
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Katia Sayaf
- Department Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padova, Padua, 35128, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, 31100, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Pasut
- Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padova, 35131, Italy
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Floreani A, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Primary biliary cholangitis: primary autoimmune disease or primary secretory defect. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:863-870. [PMID: 37515436 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2242771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of small and medium intrahepatic bile ducts, involving predominantly females. PBC has long been described as an autoimmune liver disease, also because it is very often associated with many autoimmune conditions. More recently, another pathogenic mechanism exploring the damage of cholangiocytes has been hypothesized, i.e. a defect in the biliary umbrella which is physiologically responsible for the exchange of the ions Cl- and HCO3- and maintains the integrity of glycocalyx. To provide a state-of-the-art analysis of this topic, a systematic review of literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct was conducted (inclusive dates: 1986-2023). AREA COVERED Although the etiology remains unknown, pathogenesis consists of a complex immune-mediated process resulting from a genetic susceptibility. PBC can be triggered by an immune-mediated response to an autoantigen, which leads to a progressive destruction of bile ducts and eventually to a progressive fibrosis with cirrhosis. The defect in the 'bicarbonate umbrella' acts as a protection against the toxic hydrophobic bile acids, leading to a toxic composition of bile. EXPERT OPINION This review offers a summary of the current knowledge about the pathogenesis of PBC, indicating that this is probably based on the mutual relationship between the immune insult and the unbalanced secretory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Negrar, Verona, Italy
- University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Gabbia D, De Martin S. Toward a New Era in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Novel Perspectives on Therapeutic Options and Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109018. [PMID: 37240362 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains a global health challenge and its incidence is growing worldwide [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Gabbia D, De Martin S. Tumor Mutational Burden for Predicting Prognosis and Therapy Outcome of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043441. [PMID: 36834851 PMCID: PMC9960420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary hepatic malignancy, represents the second-highest cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Many efforts have been devoted to finding novel biomarkers for predicting both patients' survival and the outcome of pharmacological treatments, with a particular focus on immunotherapy. In this regard, recent studies have focused on unravelling the role of tumor mutational burden (TMB), i.e., the total number of mutations per coding area of a tumor genome, to ascertain whether it can be considered a reliable biomarker to be used either for the stratification of HCC patients in subgroups with different responsiveness to immunotherapy, or for the prediction of disease progression, particularly in relation to the different HCC etiologies. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the study of TMB and TMB-related biomarkers in the HCC landscape, focusing on their feasibility as guides for therapy decisions and/or predictors of clinical outcome.
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Hosni S, Kilian V, Klümper N, Saponaro M, Ellinger J, Corvino D, Gabbia D, Bald T, De Martin S, Hölzel M, Ritter M, Eckstein M, Alajati A. Pre-adipocyte-driven NRG1 promotes resistance to FGFR3 inhibition in urothelial carcinoma. Eur Urol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/s0302-2838(23)01219-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
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Gabbia D, Carpi S, Sarcognato S, Zanotto I, Sayaf K, Colognesi M, Polini B, Digiacomo M, Macchia M, Nieri P, Carrara M, Cazzagon N, Russo FP, Guido M, De Martin S. The phenolic compounds tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol counteract liver fibrogenesis via the transcriptional modulation of NADPH oxidases and oxidative stress-related miRNAs. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:114014. [PMID: 36379119 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the result of a chronic pathological condition caused by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which induces the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Fibrogenesis is sustained by an exaggerated production of reactive oxidative species (ROS) by NADPH oxidases (NOXs), which are overactivated in hepatic inflammation. In this study, we investigated the antifibrotic properties of two phenolic compounds of natural origin, tyrosol (Tyr) and hydroxytyrosol (HTyr), known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We assessed Tyr and HTyr antifibrotic and antioxidant activity both in vitro, by a co-culture of LX2, HepG2 and THP1-derived Mϕ macrophages, set up to simulate the hepatic microenvironment, and in vivo, in a mouse model of liver fibrosis obtained by carbon tetrachloride treatment. We evaluated the mRNA and protein expression of profibrotic and oxidative markers (α-SMA, COL1A1, NOX1/4) by qPCR and/or immunocytochemistry or immunohistochemistry. The expression of selected miRNAs in mouse livers were measured by qPCR. Tyr and HTyr reduces fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo, by downregulating all fibrotic markers. Notably, they also modulated oxidative stress by restoring the physiological levels of NOX1 and NOX4. In vivo, this effect was accompanied by a transcriptional regulation of inflammatory genes and of 2 miRNAs involved in the control of oxidative stress damage (miR-181-5p and miR-29b-3p). In conclusion, Tyr and HTyr exert antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of liver fibrosis, by modulating hepatic oxidative stress, representing promising candidates for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Sara Carpi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Katia Sayaf
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Martina Colognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Polini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Paola Nieri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Nora Cazzagon
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy; Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Vaccarin C, Gabbia D, Franceschinis E, De Martin S, Roverso M, Bogialli S, Sacchetti G, Tupini C, Lampronti I, Gambari R, Cabrini G, Dechecchi MC, Tamanini A, Marzaro G, Chilin A. Improved Trimethylangelicin Analogs for Cystic Fibrosis: Design, Synthesis and Preliminary Screening. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911528. [PMID: 36232826 PMCID: PMC9570109 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A small library of new angelicin derivatives was designed and synthesized with the aim of bypassing the side effects of trimethylangelicin (TMA), a promising agent for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. To prevent photoreactions with DNA, hindered substituents were inserted at the 4 and/or 6 positions. Unlike the parent TMA, none of the new derivatives exhibited significant cytotoxicity or mutagenic effects. Among the synthesized compounds, the 4-phenylderivative 12 and the 6-phenylderivative 25 exerted a promising F508del CFTR rescue ability. On these compounds, preliminary in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were carried out, evidencing a favorable PK profile per se or after incorporation into lipid formulations. Therefore, the selected compounds are good candidates for future extensive investigation to evaluate and develop novel CFTR correctors based on the angelicin structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Vaccarin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Erica Franceschinis
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Roverso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Gianni Sacchetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Tupini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center of Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis (InnThera4CF), University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center of Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis (InnThera4CF), University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giulio Cabrini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center of Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis (InnThera4CF), University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Dechecchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Piazzale Stefani 1, 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Tamanini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Piazzale Stefani 1, 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Adriana Chilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Center of Innovative Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis (InnThera4CF), University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Sayaf K, Gabbia D, Russo FP, De Martin S. The Role of Sex in Acute and Chronic Liver Damage. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810654. [PMID: 36142565 PMCID: PMC9505609 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute and chronic hepatic damages are caused by xenobiotics or different diseases affecting the liver, characterized by different etiologies and pathological features. It has been demonstrated extensively that liver damage progresses differently in men and women, and some chronic liver diseases show a more favorable prognosis in women than in men. This review aims to update the most recent advances in the comprehension of the molecular basis of the sex difference observed in both acute and chronic liver damage. With this purpose, we report experimental studies on animal models and clinical observations investigating both acute liver failure, e.g., drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and chronic liver diseases, e.g., viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune liver diseases, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Sayaf
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Units, Azienda Ospedale—Università di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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18
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Gabbia D, Roverso M, Zanotto I, Colognesi M, Sayaf K, Sarcognato S, Arcidiacono D, Zaramella A, Realdon S, Ferri N, Guido M, Russo FP, Bogialli S, Carrara M, De Martin S. A Nutraceutical Formulation Containing Brown Algae Reduces Hepatic Lipid Accumulation by Modulating Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in Experimental Models of NAFLD and NASH. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:572. [PMID: 36135761 PMCID: PMC9501409 DOI: 10.3390/md20090572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, some preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of brown seaweeds in reducing the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Here, we analyzed the beneficial effect of a nutraceutical formulation containing a phytocomplex extracted from seaweeds and chromium picolinate in animal models of liver steatosis of differing severities (rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its complication, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)). This treatment led to a significant drop in hepatic fat deposition in both models (p < 0.01 vs. untreated animals), accompanied by a reduction in plasma inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and C reactive protein, and myeloperoxidase expression in liver tissue. Furthermore, a modulation of the molecular pathways involved in lipid metabolism and storage was demonstrated, since we observed the significant reduction of the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase, diacylglycerol acyltransferases, the sterol-binding protein SREBP-1, and the lipid transporter perilipin-2, in both treated NAFLD and NASH rats in comparison to untreated ones. In conclusion, this nutraceutical product was effective in reducing liver steatosis and showed further beneficial effects on hepatic inflammation and glycemic control, which were particularly evident in rats characterized by a more severe condition, thus representing a therapeutic option for the treatment of NAFLD and NASH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Roverso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Colognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Katia Sayaf
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Samantha Sarcognato
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy
| | - Diletta Arcidiacono
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Zaramella
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Realdon
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Lupo MG, Brilli E, De Vito V, Tarantino G, Sut S, Ferrarese I, Panighel G, Gabbia D, De Martin S, Dall’Acqua S, Ferri N. In Vitro and In Vivo Sucrosomial® Berberine Activity on Insulin Resistance. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173595. [PMID: 36079851 PMCID: PMC9459874 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Berberine is a natural alkaloid with hypoglycemic properties. However, its therapeutic use is limited by a very low oral bioavailability. Here we developed a new oral formulation of berberine based on Sucrosomial® technology and tested its effect on insulin resistance. Methods: Sucrosomial® berberine was first tested in vitro in the hepatoma cell line Huh7 to assess its effect on proteins involved in glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. The pharmacokinetics and efficacy on insulin resistance were then studied in C57BL/6 mice fed with standard (SD) and high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks and treated daily during the last 8 weeks with oral gavage of Sucrosomial® berberine or berberine. Results: Sucrosomial® berberine did not affect Huh7 cell viability at concentrations up to 40 µM. Incubation of Huh7 with 20 µM of Sucrosomial® and control berberine induced glucokinase (GK) and the phosphorylation of 5′-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), both known targets for the control of insulin resistance. In vivo, we observed an 8-fold higher plasma concentration after 3 weeks of oral administration of 50 mg/kg/day of Sucrosomial® formulation compared to berberine. HFD, compared to SD, induced insulin resistance in mice as determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The treatment with a 6.25 mg/kg/daily dose of Sucrosomial® berberine significantly reduced the area under the curve (AUC) of OGTT (73,103 ± 8645 vs. 58,830 ± 5597 mg/dL × min), while control berberine produced the same effects at 50 mg/Kg/day (51518 ± 1984 mg/dL × min). Under these conditions, the two formulations resulted in similar berberine plasma concentration in mice. Nevertheless, a different tissue distribution of metabolites was observed with a significant accumulation of reduced, demethylated and glucuronide berberine in the brain after the oral administration of the Sucrosomial® form. Glucuronide berberine plasma concentration was higher with Sucrosomial® berberine compared to normal berberine. Finally, we observed similar increases of AMPK phosphorylation in the liver in response to the treatment with Sucrosomial® berberine and berberine. Conclusions: The Sucrosomial® formulation is an innovative and effective technology to improve berberine gastrointestinal (GI) absorption with proven in vitro and in vivo activity on insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisa Brilli
- R&D Department, PharmaNutra S.p.A., 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefania Sut
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Ferrarese
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Panighel
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall’Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8275080
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Franceschinis E, Roverso M, Gabbia D, De Martin S, Brusegan M, Vaccarin C, Bogialli S, Chilin A. Self-Emulsifying Formulations to Increase the Oral Bioavailability of 4,6,4′-Trimethylangelicin as a Possible Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091806. [PMID: 36145554 PMCID: PMC9506254 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
4,6,4′-trimethylangelicin (TMA) is a promising pharmacological option for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) due to its triple-acting behavior toward the function of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator. It is a poorly water-soluble drug, and thus it is a candidate for developing a self-emulsifying formulation (SEDDS). This study aimed to develop a SEDDS to improve the oral bioavailability of TMA. Excipients were selected on the basis of solubility studies. Polyoxyl-35 castor oil (Cremophor® EL) was proposed as surfactant, diethylene glycol-monoethyl ether (Transcutol® HP) as cosolvent, and a mixture of long-chainmono-,di-, and triglycerides (Maisine® CC) or medium-chain triglycerides (LabrafacTM lipophile) as oil phases. Different mixtures were prepared and characterized by measuring the emulsification time, drop size, and polydispersity index to identify the most promising formulation. Two formulations containing 50% surfactant (w/w), 40% cosolvent (w/w), and 10% oil (w/w) (Maisine® CC or LabrafacTM lipophile) were selected. The results showed that both formulations were able to self-emulsify, producing nanoemulsions with a drop size range of 20–25 nm, and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that they were able to significantly increase the oral bioavailability of TMA. In conclusion, SEEDS are useful tools to ameliorate the pharmacokinetic profile of TMA and could represent a strategy to improve the therapeutic management of CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Franceschinis
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padua, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Marco Roverso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Brusegan
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Christian Vaccarin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padua, Italy
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Adriana Chilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padua, Italy
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Floreani A, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Update on the Pharmacological Treatment of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10082033. [PMID: 36009580 PMCID: PMC9405864 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10082033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the first-line therapy used for the treatment of PBC. In recent years, new pharmacological agents have been proposed for PBC therapy to cure UDCA-non-responders. Obeticholic acid (OCA) is registered in many countries for PBC, and fibrates also seem to be effective in ameliorating biochemistry alteration and symptoms typical of PBC. Moreover, a variety of new agents, acting with different mechanisms of action, are under clinical evaluation for PBC treatment, including PPAR agonists, anti-NOX agents, immunomodulators, and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. Since an insufficient amount of data is currently available about the effect of these novel approaches on robust clinical endpoints, such as transplant-free survival, their clinical approval needs to be supported by the consistent improvement of these parameters. The intensive research in this field will hopefully lead to a novel treatment landscape for PBC in the near future, with innovative therapies based on the combination of multiple agents acting on different pathogenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- IRCCS Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Gabbia D, Roverso M, Sarcognato S, Zanotto I, Ferri N, Russo FP, Guido M, Bogialli S, De Martin S. The Metabolic Activation of Sofosbuvir Is Impaired in an Experimental Model of NAFLD. Biology 2022; 11:biology11050693. [PMID: 35625421 PMCID: PMC9138586 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The effect of liver steatosis on drug metabolism has been investigated in both preclinical and clinical settings, but the findings of these studies are still controversial. We here evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile of the main sofosbuvir metabolite GS-331007 in healthy animals and rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after the oral administration of a single 400 mg/kg dose of sofosbuvir. The plasma concentration of GS-331007 was evaluated by HPLC-MS. The expression of the two enzymes uridine monophosphate-cytidine monophosphate kinase 1 (UMP-CMPK1), and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (ND-PK), responsible for the formation of the active metabolite GS-331007-TP, were measured by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. We demonstrated that in rats with steatosis, the area under the plasma concentration-vs-time curve (AUC) and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of GS-331007 increased significantly whereas the expression of UMP-CMPK was significantly lower than that of healthy animals. The reduction of UMP-CMPK expression suggests an impairment of sofosbuvir activation to GS-331007-TP, giving a possible explanation for the reduction of sofosbuvir efficacy in patients affected by genotype 3 Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is often associated with liver steatosis. Furthermore, since GS-331007 plasma concentration is altered by steatosis, it can be suggested that the plasma concentration of this metabolite may not be a reliable indicator for exposure-response analysis in patients with NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (I.Z.)
| | - Marco Roverso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Samantha Sarcognato
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.S.); (N.F.); (M.G.)
| | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (I.Z.)
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.S.); (N.F.); (M.G.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.S.); (N.F.); (M.G.)
| | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (I.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8275077
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23
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Salmaso S, Mastrotto F, Roverso M, Gandin V, De Martin S, Gabbia D, De Franco M, Vaccarin C, Verona M, Chilin A, Caliceti P, Bogialli S, Marzaro G. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor prodrug-loaded liposomes for controlled release at tumor microenvironment. J Control Release 2021; 340:318-330. [PMID: 34748872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent one of the most advanced class of therapeutics for cancer treatment. Most of them are also cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitors and/or substrates thereof. Accordingly, their efficacy and/or toxicity can be affected by CYP-mediated metabolism and by metabolism-derived drug-drug interactions. In order to enhance the therapeutic performance of these drugs, we developed a prodrug (Pro962) of our TKI TK962 specifically designed for liposome loading and pH-controlled release in the tumor. A cholesterol moiety was linked to TK962 through pH-sensitive hydrazone bond for anchoring to the liposome phospholipid bilayer to prevent leakage of the prodrug from the nanocarrier. Bioactivity studies performed on isolated target kinases showed that the prodrug maintains only partial activity against them and the release of TK962 is required. Biopharmaceutical studies carried out with prodrug loaded liposomes showed that the prodrug was firmly associated with the vesicles and the drug release was prevented under blood-mimicking conditions. Conversely, conventional liposome loaded with TK962 readily released the drug. Flow cytometric studies showed that liposomes efficiently provided for intracellular prodrug delivery. The use of the hydrazone linker yielded a pH-controlled drug release, which resulted in about 50% drug release at pH 4 and 5 in 2 h. Prodrug, prodrug loaded liposomes and active lead compound have been tested against cancer cell lines in either 2D or 3D models. The liposome formulation showed higher cytotoxicity than the unformulated lead TK962 in both 2D and 3D models. The stability of prodrug, prodrug loaded liposomes and active lead compound in human serum and against human, mouse, and rat microsomes was also assessed, demonstrating that liposome formulations impair the metabolic reactions and protect the loaded compounds from catabolism. The results suggest that the liposomal formulation of pH releasable TKI prodrugs is a promising strategy to improve the metabolic stability, intracellular cancer cell delivery and release, and in turn the efficacy of this class of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Salmaso
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Francesca Mastrotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Marco Roverso
- Department of Chemistry, University of Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131, Italy
| | - Valentina Gandin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Michele De Franco
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Christian Vaccarin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Marco Verona
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Adriana Chilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Paolo Caliceti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy
| | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Italy.
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24
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Gabbia D, Carpi S, Sarcognato S, Cannella L, Colognesi M, Scaffidi M, Polini B, Digiacomo M, Esposito Salsano J, Manera C, Macchia M, Nieri P, Carrara M, Russo FP, Guido M, De Martin S. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil Polyphenol Oleocanthal Exerts Antifibrotic Effects in the Liver. Front Nutr 2021; 8:715183. [PMID: 34671630 PMCID: PMC8521071 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.715183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, which is the outcome of wound-healing response to chronic liver damage, represents an unmet clinical need. This study evaluated the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenol oleocanthal (OC) extracted from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by an in vitro/in vivo approach. The hepatic cell lines LX2 and HepG2 were used as in vitro models. The mRNA expression of pro-fibrogenic markers, namely alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), a panel of metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7, MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as well as the pro-oxidant genes NADPH oxidases (NOXs) 1 and 4 were evaluated in TGF-β activated LX2 cells by qRT-PCR. α-SMA and COL1A1 protein expression was assessed by immunofluorescence coupled to confocal microscopy. VEGFA release from LX2 was measured by ELISA. We also evaluated the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by H2O2 activated- HepG2 cells. In vivo, OC was administered daily by oral gavage to Balb/C mice with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In this model, we measured the mRNA hepatic expression of the three pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL) IL6, IL17, IL23, chemokines such as C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12), and selected miRNAs (miR-181-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) by qRT-PCR. We demonstrated that OC significantly downregulated the gene/protein expression of α-SMA, COL1A1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7 and VEGF as well as the oxidative enzymes NOX1 and 4 in TGFβ1-activated LX2 cells, and reduced the production of ROS by HepG2. In vivo OC, beside causing a significant reduction of fibrosis at histological assessment, counteracted the CCl4-induced upregulation of pro-fibrotic and inflammatory genes. Moreover, OC upregulated the anti-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) reduced in fibrotic mice, while downregulated the pro-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-221-3p and miR-181-5p), which were dramatically upregulated in fibrotic mice. In conclusion, OC exerts a promising antifibrotic effect via a combined reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation involving putative miRNAs, which in turn reduces hepatic stellate cells activation and liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Carpi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Luana Cannella
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Colognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Michela Scaffidi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Maria Digiacomo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jasmine Esposito Salsano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Doctoral School in Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Clementina Manera
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Nieri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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25
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Grigoletto A, Martinez G, Gabbia D, Tedeschini T, Scaffidi M, Martin SD, Pasut G. Folic Acid-Targeted Paclitaxel-Polymer Conjugates Exert Selective Cytotoxicity and Modulate Invasiveness of Colon Cancer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:929. [PMID: 34201494 PMCID: PMC8309175 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13070929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although selective tumor delivery of anticancer drugs has been sought by exploiting either passive targeting or by ligand-mediated targeting, a selective anticancer therapy remains an unmet medical need. Despite the advances which have been achieved by nanomedicines, nanosystems such as polymer-drug conjugates still miss the goal of clinical efficacy. In this study, we demonstrated that polymer-drug conjugates require a thoroughly chemical design and the right targeting agent/polymer ratio to be selective and effective towards cancer cells. In particular, two PEG conjugates carrying paclitaxel and targeted with different folic acid (FA)/PEG ratios (one or three) were investigated. The cytotoxicity study in positive (HT-29) and negative (HCT-15) FA receptor (FR)-cell lines demonstrated that the conjugates with one or three FAs were 4- or 28-fold more active in HT-29 cells, respectively. The higher activity of the 3-FA conjugate was confirmed by its strong impact on cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, FA targeting had a clear effect on migration and invasiveness of HT-29 cells, which were significantly reduced by both conjugates. Interestingly, the 3-FA conjugate showed also an improved pharmacokinetic profile in mice. The results of this study indicate that thorough investigations are needed to optimize and tune drug delivery and achieve the desired selectivity and activity towards cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara De Martin
- Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences Department, University of Padua, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (D.G.); (T.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Gianfranco Pasut
- Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences Department, University of Padua, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (G.M.); (D.G.); (T.T.); (M.S.)
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26
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De Martin S, Gabbia D, Folli F, Bifari F, Fiorina P, Ferri N, Stahl S, Inturrisi CE, Pappagallo M, Traversa S, Manfredi PL. REL-1017 (Esmethadone) Increases Circulating BDNF Levels in Healthy Subjects of a Phase 1 Clinical Study. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:671859. [PMID: 33995104 PMCID: PMC8113752 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.671859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin widely expressed in the central nervous system, exhibits important effects on neural plasticity. BDNF has been implicated in the mechanism of action of ketamine, a N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) antagonist with rapid anti-depressant effects in humans. REL-1017 (esmethadone), the d-optical isomer of the racemic mixture d-l-methadone, is devoid of clinically relevant opioid activity at doses expected to exert therapeutic NMDAR antagonistic activity in humans. The present study was conducted to ascertain the effects of oral administration of 25 mg of REL-1017 for 10 days on plasma BDNF in healthy subjects confined to an inpatient unit for a phase 1 clinical trial. We observed an increase in post-treatment BDNF plasma levels compared to pre-treatment levels. Post-treatment, Day 10 BDNF plasma levels ranged from 2 to 17 times pre-treatment levels in the 25 mg REL-1017 treatment group, whereas in the placebo group, BDNF plasma levels remained unchanged (p = 0.028). Diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in subjects treated with REL-1017, while no effect could be observed in the placebo group. In conclusion, the administration of 25 mg REL-1017 significantly increased BDNF plasma levels and significantly decreased diastolic blood pressure in healthy subjects confined to an inpatient unit for a phase 1 clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Franco Folli
- Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bifari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Fiorina
- Nephrology Division, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stephen Stahl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Neuroscience Education Institute, San Diego, CA, United States
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27
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De Martin S, Gabbia D, Bogialli S, Biasioli F, Boschetti A, Gstir R, Rainer D, Cappellin L. Refill liquids for electronic cigarettes display peculiar toxicity on human endothelial cells. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:456-462. [PMID: 33717998 PMCID: PMC7933715 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The electronic cigarettes mimic combustible cigarettes through a heating technology that vaporizes a refill liquid consisting of solvents, flavors, and nicotine. E-cigarettes are sometimes still used as a support for smoking cessation, even if in 2019 an acute lung injury outbreak occurred in the USA, affecting mainly adolescents and young adults, and was correlated to eCigs. Therefore, due to the lack of a definite knowledge about the mechanism(s) of refill liquid toxicity and considering that previous investigations gave controversial results, the aim of the present study was the cytotoxicity assessment of different refill liquids on human endothelial cells, evaluated by means of two different in vitro approaches, i.e. the resazurin and the LDH release assays. Our results clearly demonstrated that different refill liquids (6 samples) display different levels of cytotoxicity in our cellular model, although their cytotoxicity was always lower than that observed for the condensate obtained from traditional cigarettes (3 samples). These results suggest that accurate evaluations should be provided for refill liquids, in particular to correlate their toxicity to their chemical composition, with the final aim of obtaining useful information for the agencies involved in the regulation of their components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Franco Biasioli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele a/A, Italy
| | | | - Ronald Gstir
- Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Rainer
- Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Luca Cappellin
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy.,Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, S. Michele a/A, Italy
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Gabbia D, De Martin S. Brown Seaweeds for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Diseases. Molecules 2020; 25:E4182. [PMID: 32932674 PMCID: PMC7570850 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the coexistence of different metabolic disorders which increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, metabolic syndrome leads to a reduction in patients' quality of life as well as to an increase in morbidity and mortality. In the last few decades, it has been demonstrated that seaweeds exert multiple beneficial effects by virtue of their micro- and macronutrient content, which could help in the management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This review aims to provide an updated overview on the potential of brown seaweeds for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome and its associated diseases, based on the most recent evidence obtained from in vitro and in vivo preclinical and clinical studies. Owing to their great potential for health benefits, brown seaweeds are successfully used in some nutraceuticals and functional foods for treating metabolic syndrome comorbidities. However, some issues still need to be tackled and deepened to improve the knowledge of their ADME/Tox profile in humans, in particular by finding validated indexes of their absorption and obtaining reliable information on their efficacy and long-term safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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29
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Colognesi M, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Depression and Cognitive Impairment-Extrahepatic Manifestations of NAFLD and NASH. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E229. [PMID: 32708059 PMCID: PMC7400092 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8070229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its complication non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are important causes of liver disease worldwide. Recently, a significant association between these hepatic diseases and different central nervous system (CNS) disorders has been observed in an increasing number of patients. NAFLD-related CNS dysfunctions include cognitive impairment, hippocampal-dependent memory impairment, and mood imbalances (in particular, depression and anxiety). This review aims at summarizing the main correlations observed between NAFLD development and these CNS dysfunctions, focusing on the studies investigating the mechanism(s) involved in this association. Growing evidences point at cerebrovascular alteration, neuroinflammation, and brain insulin resistance as NAFLD/NASH-related CNS manifestations. Since the pharmacological options available for the management of these conditions are still limited, further studies are needed to unravel the mechanism(s) of NAFLD/NASH and their central manifestations and identify effective pharmacological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Colognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy
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30
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Frión-Herrera Y, Gabbia D, Scaffidi M, Zagni L, Cuesta-Rubio O, De Martin S, Carrara M. Cuban Brown Propolis Interferes in the Crosstalk between Colorectal Cancer Cells and M2 Macrophages. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12072040. [PMID: 32660099 PMCID: PMC7400951 DOI: 10.3390/nu12072040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), primarily the M2 phenotype, are involved in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Cuban brown propolis (Cp) and its main component Nemorosone (Nem) displays an antiproliferative effect on different cancer cells, including CRC cell lines. However, whether Cp and Nem could exploit its effect on CRC cells by targeting their relationship with TAMs remains to be elucidated. In this study, we differentiated the human monocytic THP-1 cells to M2 macrophages and confirmed this transition by immunofluorescence (IF) staining, qRT-PCR and zymography. An MTT assay was performed to determine the effect of Cp and Nem on the viability of CRC HT-29 cells co-cultured with M2 macrophages. Furthermore, the migration and invasion abilities of HT-29 cells were determined by Transwell assays and the expression levels of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were analyzed by IF staining. We demonstrated that Cp and Nem reduced the viability of M2 macrophages and, accordingly, the activity of the MMP-9 metalloprotein. Moreover, we demonstrated that M2 macrophages produce soluble factors that positively regulate HT-29 cell growth, migration and invasion. These M2-mediated effects were counteracted by Cp and Nem treatments, which also played a role in regulating the expression of the EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin. Taken together, our results indicate that Nem contained in Cp interferes in the crosstalk between CRC cells and TAMs, by targeting M2 macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahima Frión-Herrera
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy; (Y.F.-H.); (D.G.); (M.S.); (L.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy; (Y.F.-H.); (D.G.); (M.S.); (L.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Michela Scaffidi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy; (Y.F.-H.); (D.G.); (M.S.); (L.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Letizia Zagni
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy; (Y.F.-H.); (D.G.); (M.S.); (L.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Osmany Cuesta-Rubio
- Chemistry and Health Faculty, Technical University of Machala, Ave. Panamericana Vía a Pasaje Km. 5 1/2, Machala 070101, Ecuador;
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy; (Y.F.-H.); (D.G.); (M.S.); (L.Z.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0498275077
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy; (Y.F.-H.); (D.G.); (M.S.); (L.Z.); (M.C.)
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31
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Gabbia D, Saponaro M, Sarcognato S, Guido M, Ferri N, Carrara M, De Martin S. Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum Ameliorate Liver Function by Reducing Diet-Induced Steatosis in Rats. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E62. [PMID: 31963560 PMCID: PMC7024370 DOI: 10.3390/md18010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Asian coastal communities have used the brown seaweeds Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum since ancient times. Recently, some in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated their abilities in reducing risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Here, we analyzed the protective effect of a phytocomplex extracted from these seaweeds on the deposition of fat in the liver after the administration of a high-fat diet (HFD) to rats for five weeks. The administration of F. vesiculosus and A. nodosum led to significant reductions in microvescicular steatosis and plasma biochemical and lipid parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and conjugated bilirubin, and triglycerides. Furthermore, the postprandial glycemic peak was delayed and significantly reduced (p < 0.01) by the algal extract administration. In conclusion, this extract is effective in reducing microvescicular steatosis and improving glycemic control, thereby lowering the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and diabetes, diseases related to the consumption of fat and sugar-enriched diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (N.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Miriam Saponaro
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy;
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine—VIMM, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Samantha Sarcognato
- Department of Medicine, General Pathology and Cytophatology Unit, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (S.S.); (M.G.)
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, General Pathology and Cytophatology Unit, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (S.S.); (M.G.)
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, 31100 Treviso, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (N.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (N.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (N.F.); (M.C.)
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Frión-Herrera Y, Gabbia D, Cuesta-Rubio O, De Martin S, Carrara M. Nemorosone inhibits the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Life Sci 2019; 235:116817. [PMID: 31476309 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In the tumor microenvironment, dysregulated immune cells could promote tumor progression, invasion and metastasis, by establishing a symbiotic relationship with cancer cells. A pivotal role is played by monocyte recruitment and induction of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which provide immunosuppression and tumorigenesis. The effect of nemorosone, an antiproliferative phytocomponent present in Cuban Propolis, on TAM-induced tumor progression remains to be elucidated. Here we investigated the symbiotic relationship between monocytic leukemia THP-1 and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, and the role of nemorosone in preventing TAM-induced tumor growth. MAIN METHODS Macrophage differentiation induced by HepG2-conditioned medium was assessed by flow cytometry, analysis of secreted molecules and cytokine expression. The effect of nemorosone and/or conditioned THP-1-medium on HepG2 proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, colony formation, cells cycle and migration assays. KEY FINDINGS HepG2 cells induced THP-1 recruitment and differentiation to macrophages. When compared with control THP-1 cells, differentiated THP-1 showed a significant increase of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression (P < 0.01), and slightly induced HepG2 cells growth. This effect was counteracted by nemorosone, which also significantly inhibited colony formation (P < 0.01) and migratory capacity of HepG2 cells, driving a high percentage of cells (80%) to the G0/G1 phase. SIGNIFICANCE HepG2-conditioned medium is a suitable model for THP-1 modulation and differentiation. Moreover, nemorosone significantly inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 cells, both in presence and absence of the soluble factors secreted by TAMs. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of this natural compound in the HCC-TAM relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahima Frión-Herrera
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, Italy
| | - Osmany Cuesta-Rubio
- Chemistry and Health Faculty, Technical University of Machala, Ave. Panamericana Vía a Pasaje Km. 5 1/2, Ecuador
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, Italy.
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, L.go Meneghetti 2, Italy
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Frión-Herrera Y, Gabbia D, Díaz-García A, Cuesta-Rubio O, Carrara M. Chemosensitizing activity of Cuban propolis and nemorosone in doxorubicin resistant human colon carcinoma cells. Fitoterapia 2019; 136:104173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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De Martin S, Gabbia D, Carrara M, Ferri N. The Brown Algae Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum Reduce Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors: A Clinical Study. Nat Prod Commun 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1801301228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum have been traditionally used for the treatment of obesity and several gastrointestinal diseases. We have recently demonstrated that the phytocomplex obtained from these algae (Gdue™) controls postprandial glucose levels in a mouse model of steatohepatitis, a condition often associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We analyzed the effect of Gdue™ on HOMA index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in overweight or obese subjects. Waist circumference decreased significantly after 6 months of treatment (112 ± 17 at t0 vs 105 ± 13 cm after 6 months of treatment; p<0.0001). Both blood glucose and insulin levels were significantly reduced after 6 months of treatment with Gdue™ (110 ± 15 at t0 vs 98 ± 15 mg/dL after 6 months for glucose; p<0.0001; 22.6 ± 9.5 at t0 vs 17.8 ± 8.6 μU/mL after 6 months for insulin; p<0.05). Accordingly, HOMA index decreased significantly (6.103 ± 2.548 at t0 vs 4.419 ± 2.382 after 6 months; p<0.01), suggesting an improvement of insulin sensitivity status. This phytocomplex represents a useful dietary supplement for controlling relevant metabolic syndrome risk factors, such as waist circumference, fasting insulin and glucose levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Gabbia D, Pozzo L, Zigiotto G, Roverso M, Sacchi D, Dalla Pozza A, Carrara M, Bogialli S, Floreani A, Guido M, De Martin S. Dexamethasone counteracts hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in cholestatic rats via CAR activation. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204336. [PMID: 30252871 PMCID: PMC6155538 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are currently used for the therapeutic management of cholestatic diseases, but their use and molecular mechanism remain controversial. The aims of this study were 1) to assess the therapeutic effect of a 2-week treatment with the GC dexamethasone on hepatic damage in bile duct-ligated rats; 2) to investigate its effect on the activation of the nuclear receptors (NRs) pregnane X receptor (PXR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and GC receptor (GR), and NF-kB, as well as on oxidative stress and bile acid (BA) hepatic composition. Cholestasis was induced by ligation of bile duct (BDL animals) in 16 male Wistar-Kyoto rats, and eight of them were daily treated by oral gavage with 0.125 mg/ml/kg DEX for 14 days. Eight Sham-operated rats were used as controls. Severity of cholestasis was assessed histologically and on plasma biochemical parameters. The nuclear expression of NF-kB (p65), GR, PXR and CAR was measured in hepatic tissue by Western Blot. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde, carbonylated proteins, GHS and ROS content in rat livers. LC-MS was used to measure the plasma and liver concentration of 7 BAs. Histological findings and a significant drop in several markers of inflammation (p65 nuclear translocation, mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) showed that DEX treatment reversed cholestasis-induced inflammation, and similar results have been obtained with oxidative stress markers. The nuclear expression of p65 and CAR were inversely correlated, with the latter increasing significantly after DEX treatment (p<0.01 vs vehicle). Hepatic BA levels tended to drop in the untreated cholestatic rats, whereas they were similar to those of healthy rats in DEX-treated animals. Plasma BAs decreased significantly in DEX-treated animals with respect to untreated cholestatic rats. In conclusion, DEX reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in BDL rats, and probably CAR is responsible for this effect. Therefore, this NR represents a promising pharmacological target for managing cholestatic and inflammatory liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luisa Pozzo
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giorgia Zigiotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Roverso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Diana Sacchi
- Department of Medicine, General Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Arianna Dalla Pozza
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Annarosa Floreani
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, General Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Gabbia D, Pozza AD, Albertoni L, Lazzari R, Zigiotto G, Carrara M, Baldo V, Baldovin T, Floreani A, Martin SD. Pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor modulate differently CYP3A-mediated metabolism in early- and late-stage cholestasis. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:7519-7530. [PMID: 29204052 PMCID: PMC5698245 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i42.7519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To ascertain whether cholestasis affects the expression of two CYP3A isoforms (CYP3A1 and CYP3A2) and of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR).
METHODS Cholestasis was induced by bile duct ligation in 16 male Wistar rats; whereas 8 sham-operated rats were used as controls. Severity of cholestasis was assessed on histological examination of liver sections, and serum concentrations of albumin, AST, ALT, GGT, ALPK and bilirubin. Gene and protein expressions of PXR, CAR, CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 were assessed by means of qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Alterations in CYP3A activity were measured by calculating the kinetic parameters of 4-OH and 1’-OH-midazolam hydroxylation, marker reactions for CYP3A enzymes.
RESULTS The mRNA and protein expression of CYP3A1 increased significantly in mild cholestasis (P < 0.01). At variance, mRNA and protein expression of CYP3A2 didn’t change in mild cholestasis, whereas the expression and activity of both CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 decreased dramatically when cholestasis became severe. Consistently with these observations, the nuclear expression of both PXR and CAR, which was measured because they both translocate into the cell nucleus after their activation, virtually disappeared in the late stage of cholestatic injury, after an initial increase. These results indicate that early- and late-stage cholestasis affects CYP3A-mediated drug metabolism differently, probably as consequence of the different activation of PXR and CAR.
CONCLUSION Early- and late-stage cholestasis affects CYP3A-mediated drug metabolism differently. PXR and CAR might be targeted therapeutically to promote CYP3A-mediated liver detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Arianna Dalla Pozza
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Laura Albertoni
- Department of Medicine, General Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Roberta Lazzari
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences, Hygiene and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Giorgia Zigiotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Baldo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences, Hygiene and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Tatjana Baldovin
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences, Hygiene and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Annarosa Floreani
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
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Catanzaro D, Gabbia D, Cocetta V, Biagi M, Ragazzi E, Montopoli M, Carrara M. Silybin counteracts doxorubicin resistance by inhibiting GLUT1 expression. Fitoterapia 2017; 124:42-48. [PMID: 29031537 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the development of drug resistance still remains one of the principal causes that hampers the effectiveness of the therapy. Emerging evidences support the idea that the dysregulated metabolism could be related to drug resistance. The major goal of this study was to target cancer metabolic pathways using new pharmacological approaches coming from natural sources in order to possibly prevent or overcome this phenomenon. Firstly, the metabolic profile of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells sensitive (LoVo WT) and resistant to doxorubicin (LoVo DOX) was delineated demonstrating that resistant cells remodel their metabolism toward a glycolytic phenotype. In particular it was observed that doxorubicin-resistant cancer cells exhibit an increased dependency from glucose for their survival, associated with overexpression of the glycolytic pathway. Moreover, both GLUT1 mRNA and protein expression significantly increased in LoVo DOX cells. Given the results about the metabolic profile, silybin, modulator of GLUTs, was selected as potential candidate to overcome doxorubicin resistance and, intriguingly, data revealed not only that silybin is more active in resistant cells than in wild type cells, but also that the combined treatment with doxorubicin and silybin presents a synergistic effect in LoVo DOX cells. Although many unanswered questions still remain about the molecular mechanism of silybin, these data suggest that targeting GLUTs may be a good strategy to restore doxorubicin sensitivity and elude drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Catanzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Veronica Cocetta
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Marco Biagi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Eugenio Ragazzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Monica Montopoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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Buriani A, Fortinguerra S, Sorrenti V, Dall'Acqua S, Innocenti G, Montopoli M, Gabbia D, Carrara M. Human Adenocarcinoma Cell Line Sensitivity to Essential Oil Phytocomplexes from Pistacia Species: a Multivariate Approach. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22081336. [PMID: 28800126 PMCID: PMC6152281 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22081336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Principal component analysis (PCA) multivariate analysis was applied to study the cytotoxic activity of essential oils from various species of the Pistacia genus on human tumor cell lines. In particular, the cytotoxic activity of essential oils obtained from P. lentiscus, P. lentiscus var. chia (mastic gum), P. terebinthus, P. vera, and P. integerrima, was screened on three human adenocarcinoma cell lines: MCF-7 (breast), 2008 (ovarian), and LoVo (colon). The results indicate that all the Pistacia phytocomplexes, with the exception of mastic gum oil, induce cytotoxic effects on one or more of the three cell lines. PCA highlighted the presence of different cooperating clusters of bioactive molecules. Cluster variability among species, and even within the same species, could explain some of the differences seen among samples suggesting the presence of both common and species-specific mechanisms. Single molecules from one of the most significant clusters were tested, but only bornyl-acetate presented cytotoxic activity, although at much higher concentrations (IC50 = 138.5 µg/mL) than those present in the essential oils, indicating that understanding of the full biological effect requires a holistic vision of the phytocomplexes with all its constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Buriani
- Maria Paola Belloni Center for Personalized Medicine, Data Medica Group (Synlab Limited), 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Stefano Fortinguerra
- Maria Paola Belloni Center for Personalized Medicine, Data Medica Group (Synlab Limited), 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Sorrenti
- Maria Paola Belloni Center for Personalized Medicine, Data Medica Group (Synlab Limited), 35100 Padova, Italy.
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Stefano Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Gabbriella Innocenti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Monica Montopoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy.
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Gabbia D, Dall'Acqua S, Di Gangi IM, Bogialli S, Caputi V, Albertoni L, Marsilio I, Paccagnella N, Carrara M, Giron MC, De Martin S. The Phytocomplex from Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum Controls Postprandial Plasma Glucose Levels: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study in a Mouse Model of NASH. Mar Drugs 2017; 15:E41. [PMID: 28212301 PMCID: PMC5334621 DOI: 10.3390/md15020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Edible seaweeds have been consumed by Asian coastal communities since ancient times. Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum extracts have been traditionally used for the treatment of obesity and several gastrointestinal diseases. We evaluated the ability of extracts obtained from these algae to inhibit the digestive enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro, and control postprandial plasma glucose levels in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); a liver disease often preceding the development of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This model was obtained by the administration of a high-fat diet. Our results demonstrate that these algae only delayed and reduced the peak of blood glucose (p < 0.05) in mice fed with normal diet, without changing the area under the blood glucose curve (AUC). In the model of NASH, the phytocomplex was able to reduce both the postprandial glycaemic peak, and the AUC. The administration of the extract in a diet particularly rich in fat is associated with a delay in carbohydrate digestion, but also with a decrease in its assimilation. In conclusion, our results indicate that this algal extract may be useful in the control of carbohydrate digestion and absorption. This effect may be therapeutically exploited to prevent the transition of NASH to T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Stefano Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | | | - Sara Bogialli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Valentina Caputi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Laura Albertoni
- Department of Medicine, General Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Marsilio
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Nicola Paccagnella
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Cecilia Giron
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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Gabbia D, Pasolli V, Monteleone G, Tirler W, Carrara M. In vitro assessment of toxicological profile of drugs present in wastewater obtained from Bozen water treatment plant. Toxicol Lett 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.06.1791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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De Martin S, Gabbia D, Albertin G, Sfriso MM, Mescoli C, Albertoni L, Paliuri G, Bova S, Palatini P. Differential effect of liver cirrhosis on the pregnane X receptor-mediated induction of CYP3A1 and 3A2 in the rat. Drug Metab Dispos 2014; 42:1617-26. [PMID: 25030308 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.114.058511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Conflicting results have been obtained by clinical studies investigating the effect of liver cirrhosis on enzyme induction. Because ethical concerns do not give consent for methodologically rigorous studies in humans, we addressed this question by examining the effect of the prototypical inducer dexamethasone (DEX) on the pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated induction of CYP3A1 and 3A2 in a validated animal model of liver cirrhosis obtained by exposure of rats to carbon tetrachloride. For this purpose, we assessed mRNA levels, protein expressions, and enzymatic activities of both CYP3A enzymes, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of PXR in rat populations rigorously stratified according to the severity of liver insufficiency. Constitutive mRNA and protein expressions of CYP3A1 and CYP3A2 and their basal enzyme activities were not affected by liver dysfunction. DEX treatment markedly increased steady-state mRNA level, protein content, and enzymatic activity of CYP3A1 in healthy and cirrhotic rats, irrespective of the degree of liver dysfunction. On the contrary, the inducing effect of DEX on gene and protein expressions and enzyme activity of CYP3A2 was preserved in moderate liver insufficiency, whereas it was greatly curtailed when liver insufficiency became severe. mRNA and protein expressions of PXR were neither reduced by liver dysfunction nor increased by DEX treatment. These results indicate that even the inducibility of cytochrome P450 isoforms under the transcriptional control of the same nuclear receptor may be differentially affected by cirrhosis and may partly explain why conflicting results were obtained by human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanna Albertin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Martina Sfriso
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Mescoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Albertoni
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanna Paliuri
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sergio Bova
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Pietro Palatini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (S.D.M., D.G., G.P., S.B., P.P.), Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy (G.A., M.M.S.), and Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit (C.M., L.A.), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Floreani M, De Martin S, Gabbia D, Barbierato M, Nassi A, Mescoli C, Orlando R, Bova S, Angeli P, Gola E, Sticca A, Palatini P. Severe liver cirrhosis markedly reduces AhR-mediated induction of cytochrome P450 in rats by decreasing the transcription of target genes. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61983. [PMID: 23626760 PMCID: PMC3633963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) has long been investigated in patients with cirrhosis, the question whether liver dysfunction impairs the response to CYP inducers still remains unresolved. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the possible effect of cirrhosis on induction has not been investigated. Since ethical constraints do not permit methodologically rigorous studies in humans, this question was addressed by investigating the effect of the prototypical inducer benzo[a]pyrene (BP) on CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in cirrhotic rats stratified according to the severity of liver dysfunction. We simultaneously assessed mRNA level, protein expression and enzymatic activity of the CYP1A enzymes, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which mediates the BP effect. Basal mRNA and protein expressions of CYP1A1 were virtually absent in both healthy and cirrhotic rats. On the contrary, CYP1A2 mRNA, protein and enzyme activity were constitutively present in healthy rats and decreased significantly as liver function worsened. BP treatment markedly increased the concentrations of mRNA and immunodetectable protein, and the enzymatic activities of both CYP1A enzymes to similar levels in healthy and non-ascitic cirrhotic rats. Induced mRNA levels, protein expressions and enzymatic activities of both CYPs were much lower in ascitic rats and were proportionally reduced. Both constitutive and induced protein expressions of AhR were significantly lower in ascitic than in healthy rats. These results indicate that the inducibility of CYP1A enzymes is well preserved in compensated cirrhosis, whereas it is markedly reduced when liver dysfunction becomes severe. Induction appears to be impaired at the transcriptional level, due to the reduced expression of AhR, which controls the transcription of CYP1A genes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Ascites/chemically induced
- Ascites/enzymology
- Ascites/genetics
- Ascites/pathology
- Benzo(a)pyrene
- Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/genetics
- Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/metabolism
- Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2
- Cytochromes/genetics
- Cytochromes/metabolism
- Enzyme Induction/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Liver/enzymology
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/enzymology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/genetics
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Function Tests
- Male
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Severity of Illness Index
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Floreani
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Massimo Barbierato
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Nassi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Mescoli
- Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rocco Orlando
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sergio Bova
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Angeli
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Gola
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Antonietta Sticca
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Pietro Palatini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- * E-mail:
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43
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Floreani M, De Martin S, Gabbia D, Barbierato M, Nassi A, Mescoli C, Orlando R, Bova S, Angeli P, Gola E, Sticca A, Palatini P. Severe liver cirrhosis markedly reduces AhR-mediated induction of cytochrome P450 in rats by decreasing the transcription of target genes. PLoS One 2013. [PMID: 23626760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061983;] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) has long been investigated in patients with cirrhosis, the question whether liver dysfunction impairs the response to CYP inducers still remains unresolved. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the possible effect of cirrhosis on induction has not been investigated. Since ethical constraints do not permit methodologically rigorous studies in humans, this question was addressed by investigating the effect of the prototypical inducer benzo[a]pyrene (BP) on CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in cirrhotic rats stratified according to the severity of liver dysfunction. We simultaneously assessed mRNA level, protein expression and enzymatic activity of the CYP1A enzymes, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which mediates the BP effect. Basal mRNA and protein expressions of CYP1A1 were virtually absent in both healthy and cirrhotic rats. On the contrary, CYP1A2 mRNA, protein and enzyme activity were constitutively present in healthy rats and decreased significantly as liver function worsened. BP treatment markedly increased the concentrations of mRNA and immunodetectable protein, and the enzymatic activities of both CYP1A enzymes to similar levels in healthy and non-ascitic cirrhotic rats. Induced mRNA levels, protein expressions and enzymatic activities of both CYPs were much lower in ascitic rats and were proportionally reduced. Both constitutive and induced protein expressions of AhR were significantly lower in ascitic than in healthy rats. These results indicate that the inducibility of CYP1A enzymes is well preserved in compensated cirrhosis, whereas it is markedly reduced when liver dysfunction becomes severe. Induction appears to be impaired at the transcriptional level, due to the reduced expression of AhR, which controls the transcription of CYP1A genes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Ascites/chemically induced
- Ascites/enzymology
- Ascites/genetics
- Ascites/pathology
- Benzo(a)pyrene
- Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/genetics
- Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/metabolism
- Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2
- Cytochromes/genetics
- Cytochromes/metabolism
- Enzyme Induction/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Liver/enzymology
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/enzymology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/genetics
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Function Tests
- Male
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Severity of Illness Index
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Floreani
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Floreani M, Gabbia D, Barbierato M, De Martin S, Palatini P. Differential Inducing Effect of Benzo[a]pyrene on Gene Expression and Enzyme Activity of Cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1A2 in Sprague-Dawley and Wistar Rats. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2012; 27:640-52. [DOI: 10.2133/dmpk.dmpk-12-rg-035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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