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Caruana R, Zizzo MG, Caldara GF, Montalbano F, Fasciano S, Arena D, Salamone M, Di Fazio G, Bottino A, Licciardi M. Anionic Methacrylate Copolymer Microparticles for the Delivery of Myo-Inositol Produced by Spray-Drying: In Vitro and In Vivo Bioavailability. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3852. [PMID: 38612662 PMCID: PMC11012041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073852] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, a new micro delivery system based on an anionic methacrylate copolymer, able to improve the biological response of myo-inositol by daily oral administration, was manufactured by spray-drying. It has an ideal dose form for oral administration, with an experimental drug loading (DL)% of 14% and a regulated particle size of less than 15 µm. The new formulation features an improvement on traditional formulations used as a chronic therapy for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. The microparticles' release profile was studied and ex vivo porcine intestinal mucosa permeation experiments were performed to predict potential improvements in oral absorption. Batch n. 3, with the higher Eudragit/MI weight ratio (ratio = 6), showed the best-modified release profiles of the active ingredient, ensuring the lowest myo-inositol loss in an acidic environment. The in vivo evaluation of the myo-inositol micro delivery system was carried out in a rat animal model to demonstrate that the bioavailability of myo-inositol was increased when compared to the administration of the same dosage of the pure active ingredient. The AUC and Cmax of the loaded active molecule in the micro delivery system was improved by a minimum of 1.5 times when compared with the pure substance, administered with same dosage and route. Finally, the increase of myo-inositol levels in the ovary follicles was assessed to confirm that a daily administration of the new formulation improves myo-inositol concentration at the site of action, resulting in an improvement of about 1.25 times for the single administration and 1.66 times after 7 days of repeated administration when compared to pure MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Caruana
- Technology Scientific S.r.l., Via del Quarnaro 14, 90144 Palermo, PA, Italy; (R.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Maria Grazia Zizzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90123 Palermo, PA, Italy;
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90123 Palermo, PA, Italy;
| | - Francesco Montalbano
- Technology Scientific S.r.l., Via del Quarnaro 14, 90144 Palermo, PA, Italy; (R.C.); (F.M.)
| | - Silvia Fasciano
- IDI Integratori Dietetici Italiani S.r.l., Via G. Mameli 12, 95020 Aci Bonaccorsi, CT, Italy; (S.F.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (G.D.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Dora Arena
- IDI Integratori Dietetici Italiani S.r.l., Via G. Mameli 12, 95020 Aci Bonaccorsi, CT, Italy; (S.F.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (G.D.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Marida Salamone
- IDI Integratori Dietetici Italiani S.r.l., Via G. Mameli 12, 95020 Aci Bonaccorsi, CT, Italy; (S.F.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (G.D.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Gaetano Di Fazio
- IDI Integratori Dietetici Italiani S.r.l., Via G. Mameli 12, 95020 Aci Bonaccorsi, CT, Italy; (S.F.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (G.D.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Alessandro Bottino
- IDI Integratori Dietetici Italiani S.r.l., Via G. Mameli 12, 95020 Aci Bonaccorsi, CT, Italy; (S.F.); (D.A.); (M.S.); (G.D.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Mariano Licciardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90123 Palermo, PA, Italy;
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Di Majo D, Sardo P, Giglia G, Di Liberto V, Zummo FP, Zizzo MG, Caldara GF, Rappa F, Intili G, van Dijk RM, Gallo D, Ferraro G, Gambino G. Correlation of Metabolic Syndrome with Redox Homeostasis Biomarkers: Evidence from High-Fat Diet Model in Wistar Rats. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 12:antiox12010089. [PMID: 36670955 PMCID: PMC9854509 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12010089] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is an extremely complex disease. A non-balanced diet such as high-fat diet (HFD) induces metabolic dysfunction that could modify redox homeostasis. We here aimed at exploring redox homeostasis in male Wistar rats, following 8 weeks of HFD, correlating the eventual modification of selected biomarkers that could be associated with the clinical manifestations of MetS. Therefore, we selected parameters relative to both the glucose tolerance and lipid altered metabolism, but also oxidative pattern. We assessed some biomarkers of oxidative stress i.e., thiols balance, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant barriers, via the use of specific biochemical assays, individuating eventual cross correlation with parameters relative to MetS through a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The present study shows that 8 weeks of HFD induce MetS in rats, altering glucose and lipid homeostasis and increasing visceral adipose tissue, but also impairing the physiological antioxidant responses that could not counteract the oxidative stress condition. Crucially, cross-correlation analysis suggested that the assessment of specific oxidative stress parameters reported here can provide information comparable to the more widely acquired biomarkers of Mets such as glucose tolerance. Lastly, hepatic steatosis in association with the oxidative stress condition was also highlighted by histological analysis. This research will elucidate the fundamental impact of these oxidative stress parameters on MetS induced in the HFD rat model, tracing paths for developing prevention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danila Di Majo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Postgraduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Sardo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Postgraduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giglia
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Euro Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology, I.E.ME.S.T, 90139 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Zummo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Zizzo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- ATeN (Advanced Technologies Network) Center, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Rappa
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgia Intili
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Gallo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferraro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Postgraduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuditta Gambino
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +39-09123865843
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Amato A, Proia P, Caldara GF, Alongi A, Ferrantelli V, Baldassano S. Analysis of Body Perception, Preworkout Meal Habits and Bone Resorption in Child Gymnasts. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18042184. [PMID: 33672264 PMCID: PMC7926894 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042184] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The beneficial effects of physical activity on body image perception and bone are debated among artistic gymnasts. Gymnasts seem to be at greater risk of developing body dissatisfaction, eating disorders and osteoporosis due to inadequate nutrition and attention to the appearance of the body. The objective of this work was to investigate the association between the artistic gymnast and a more favorable body image compared to their sedentary peers and if a preworkout high-carbohydrate meal (HCM; 300 kcal, 88% carbohydrates, 9% protein, 3% fat) or high-protein meal (HPM; 300 kcal, 55% carbohydrates, 31% protein, 13% fat) is able to attenuate bone resorption in young rhythmic gymnasts. Twenty-eight preadolescent female gymnasts were examined. Self-esteem tests were used to analyze body image perception. Preworkout eating habits were examined by short food frequency questions (FFQ) validated for children. The biomarker of the bone resorption C-terminal telopeptide region of collagen type 1 (CTX) was measured in the urine (fasting, postmeal and postworkout). Gymnasts reported higher satisfaction with their body appearance compared to sedentary peers. Of the gymnasts, 30% did not have a preworkout meal regularly, and the timing of the consumption was variable. Bone resorption was decreased by the HCM, consumed 90 min before the training, with respect to the HPM. The study suggests that playing artistic gymnastics is associated with a positive body self-perception in a child. The variability in preworkout meal frequency and timing need attention to prevent inadequate eating habits in light of the ability of the HCM to reduce acute bone resorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Amato
- Department of Psychological, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.A.); (P.P.)
| | - Patrizia Proia
- Department of Psychological, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.A.); (P.P.)
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.F.C.); (A.A.); (V.F.)
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelina Alongi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.F.C.); (A.A.); (V.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Ferrantelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.F.C.); (A.A.); (V.F.)
| | - Sara Baldassano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Baldassano S, Amato A, Terzo S, Caldara GF, Lentini L, Mulè F. Glucagon-like peptide-2 analog and inflammatory state in obese mice. Endocrine 2020; 68:695-698. [PMID: 32172484 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Baldassano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Amato
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Terzo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Lentini
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Flavia Mulè
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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Terzo S, Mulè F, Caldara GF, Baldassano S, Puleio R, Vitale M, Cassata G, Ferrantelli V, Amato A. Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21010365. [PMID: 31935892 PMCID: PMC6981517 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD) induces inflammation and microbial dysbiosis, which are components of the metabolic syndrome. Nutritional strategies can be a valid tool to prevent metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the chronic intake of pistachio prevents obesity-associated inflammation and dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice. Three groups of male mice (four weeks old; n = 8 per group) were fed for 16 weeks with a standard diet (STD), HFD, or HFD supplemented with pistachios (HFD-P; 180 g/kg of HFD). Serum, hepatic and adipose tissue inflammation markers were analyzed in HFD-P animals and compared to HFD and STD groups. Measures of inflammation, obesity, and intestinal integrity were assessed. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis. Serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P compared to HFD. Number and area of adipocytes, crown-like structure density, IL-1β, TNF-α, F4-80, and CCL-2 mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, compared to HFD. A significant reduction in the number of inflammatory foci and IL-1β and CCL-2 gene expression was observed in the liver of HFD-P mice compared with HFD. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was reduced in HFD-P mice in comparison to the HFD group. A pistachio diet significantly increased abundance of healthy bacteria genera such as Parabacteroides, Dorea, Allobaculum, Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, and Anaeroplasma, and greatly reduced bacteria associated with inflammation, such as Oscillospira, Desulfovibrio, Coprobacillus, and Bilophila. The intestinal conductance was lower in HFD-P mice than in the HFD mice, suggesting an improvement in the gut barrier function. The results of the present study showed that regular pistachio consumption improved inflammation in obese mice. The positive effects could be related to positive modulation of the microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Terzo
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience (BioNec), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Biological- Chemical- Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo- Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.F.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Flavia Mulè
- Department of Biological- Chemical- Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo- Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.F.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- Department of Biological- Chemical- Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo- Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.F.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Sara Baldassano
- Department of Biological- Chemical- Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo- Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.F.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (M.V.); (G.C.); (V.F.)
| | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (M.V.); (G.C.); (V.F.)
| | - Giovanni Cassata
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (M.V.); (G.C.); (V.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Ferrantelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (M.V.); (G.C.); (V.F.)
| | - Antonella Amato
- Department of Biological- Chemical- Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo- Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.F.C.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-091-23897506
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Terzo S, Caldara GF, Ferrantelli V, Puleio R, Cassata G, Mulè F, Amato A. Pistachio Consumption Prevents and Improves Lipid Dysmetabolism by Reducing the Lipid Metabolizing Gene Expression in Diet-Induced Obese Mice. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10121857. [PMID: 30513740 PMCID: PMC6316241 DOI: 10.3390/nu10121857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pistachios contain beneficial substances such as unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, and polyphenols. In the present study, we investigated if pistachio consumption is able to prevent or to revert hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and adipose tissue morphological alterations caused by high fat diet (HFD) in the mouse. Moreover, the impact of pistachio intake on the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), fatty acid transport proteins (FAT-P), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1), and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c (SREBP-1c) in liver and adipose tissue was also analyzed. No change in body weight, food intake, and hyperglycemia was observed between mice consuming pistachios (HFD-P) and HFD mice. Pistachio intake was able to prevent but not to reverse HFD-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Cholesterol plasma levels, steatosis grading, body fat mass, and adipocyte size were significantly lower in HFD-P group compared to HFD in both prevention and reversal protocol. Pistachio-diet was able to prevent HFD-induced overexpression of PPAR-γ, FAS, and SCD1 in the liver and SREBP-1c, PPAR-γ, and FAT-P in adipose tissue. Similarly, HFD-P significantly ameliorated the expression levels of FAT-P and SCD1 in the liver and SREBP-1c, FAS, and SCD1 in adipose tissue of obese mice. The present study shows that pistachio consumption is able to prevent and to ameliorate obesity-related dysfunctions by positively modulating the expression of genes linked to lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Terzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Ferrantelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cassata
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Flavia Mulè
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Antonella Amato
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, viale delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
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Nuzzo D, Baldassano S, Amato A, Picone P, Galizzi G, Caldara GF, Di Carlo M, Mulè F. Glucagon-like peptide-2 reduces the obesity-associated inflammation in the brain. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 121:296-304. [PMID: 30347266 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests a link between obesity and neurodegeneration. The purpose of the present study was to explore the neuroprotective potential of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) in the brain of high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were analysed in the brains of obese mice chronically treated with [Gly2]-GLP-2 (teduglutide), the stable analogue of the GLP-2, and they were compared to age-matched untreated obese and lean animals. Neurodegeneration was examined by TUNEL assay. HFD feeding increased the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (NF-kB, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), index of gliosis and neurodegeneration, stress marker proteins (p-ERK, Hsp60 and i-NOS), amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). [Gly2]-GLP-2 treatment significantly attenuated the HFD-induced increased expression of the various markers, as well as the higher levels of reactive oxygen species found in brains of untreated-HFD mice. Immunofluorescence confirmed that the increase of GFAP or APP in the brain cortex of HFD mice were less prominent in the [Gly2]-GLP-2 treated group. TUNEL-positive cell number in brain sections of [Gly2]-GLP-2-treated HFD-fed mice was significantly lesser in comparison with untreated-HFD animals and similar to STD fed mice. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that GLP-2 stable analogue improves the obesity-associated neuroinflammation and the central stress conditions, it reduces the neuronal apoptotic death, providing evidence for a neuroprotective role of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Nuzzo
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "Alberto Monroy" (IBIM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Sara Baldassano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Amato
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Pasquale Picone
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "Alberto Monroy" (IBIM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giacoma Galizzi
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "Alberto Monroy" (IBIM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Marta Di Carlo
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology "Alberto Monroy" (IBIM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Flavia Mulè
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Italy.
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Abstract
The health benefits of nuts, mainly in relation to the improvement of dysmetabolic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and the related cardiovascular diseases, have been widely demonstrated. Compared to other nuts, pistachios have a lower fat and caloric content, and contain the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids, potassium, γ-tocopherol, phytosterols and xanthophyll carotenoids, all substances that are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This variety of nutrients contributes to the growing body of evidence that the consumption of pistachios improves health, leading to a greater potential of healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, glycemic control, and endothelial function. The present review examines the nutrients and phytochemicals present in pistachios as well as the potential health benefits of including pistachios in a diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Terzo
- a Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Sara Baldassano
- a Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- a Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ferrantelli
- b Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri" , Palermo , Italy
| | - Gianluigi Lo Dico
- b Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri" , Palermo , Italy
| | - Flavia Mulè
- a Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Antonella Amato
- a Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
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Amato A, Baldassano S, Caldara GF, Mulè F. Pancreatic polypeptide stimulates mouse gastric motor activity through peripheral neural mechanisms. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 29. [PMID: 27381051 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12901] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is supposed to be one of the major endogenous agonists of the neuropeptide Y4 receptor. Pancreatic polypeptide can influence gastrointestinal motility, acting mainly through vagal mechanisms, but whether PP acts directly on the stomach has not been explored yet. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of PP on mouse gastric emptying, on spontaneous tone of whole stomach in vitro and to examine the mechanism of action. METHODS Gastric emptying was measured by red phenol method after i.p. PP administration (1-3 nmol per mouse). Responses induced by PP (1-300 mmol L-1 ) on gastric endoluminal pressure were analyzed in vitro in the presence of different drugs. Gastric genic expression of Y4 receptor was verified by RT-PCR. KEY RESULTS Pancreatic polypeptide dose-dependently increased non-nutrient liquid gastric emptying rate. In vitro, PP produced a concentration-dependent contraction that was abolished by tetrodotoxin, a neural blocker of Na+ voltage-dependent channels. The contractile response was significantly reduced by atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, and by SR48968, an NK2 receptor antagonist, while it was potentiated by neostigmine, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. The joint application of atropine and SR48968 fully abolished PP contractile effect. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the presence of Y4 receptor mRNA in mouse stomach with a greater expression in antrum than in fundus. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES The present findings demonstrate that exogenous PP stimulates mouse gastric motor activity, by acting directly on the stomach. This effect appears due to the activation of enteric excitatory neurons releasing acetylcholine and tachykinins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Amato
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - S Baldassano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - G F Caldara
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Mulè
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Baldassano S, Amato A, Caldara GF, Mulè F. Glucagon-like peptide-2 treatment improves glucose dysmetabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet. Endocrine 2016; 54:648-656. [PMID: 26832341 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-0871-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies suggested that endogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is dispensable for the regulation of glucose homeostasis under normal conditions, while it can play a beneficial role in obesity conditions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether chronic treatment with Gly2-GLP-2, a stable analogue of GLP-2, can have an impact on glycaemic and lipid control in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), an animal model of human obesity and insulin resistance. HFD mice were treated once a day with Gly2-GLP-2 for 4 weeks. Body weight, food intake, fasting glucose, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance, insulin-induced glucose clearance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, β-cell mass, plasma lipid metabolic profile, and lipid deposition in the liver were examined. In untreated HFD mice, fasting glucose levels, glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated plasma insulin and sensibility to exogenous insulin were deteriorating with time and β-cell mass increased. In Gly2-GLP-2-treated mice, we found significant increase in glucose tolerance and exogenous insulin sensitivity, reduction in glucose-stimulated plasma insulin and in the increase in β-cell mass in comparison with pair-aged HFD untreated animals. The chronic treatment with the peptide was not associated with remarkable improvements of dyslipidemia and it did not prevent liver fat accumulation and the presence of microvesicular steatosis. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest, for the first time, that Gly2-GLP-2 may produce glucose metabolic benefits in mice with diet-induced obesity. The mechanisms underlying the beneficial impact of GLP-2 on glucose metabolism remain to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Baldassano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Laboratorio di Fisiologia generale, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Amato
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Laboratorio di Fisiologia generale, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetano Felice Caldara
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Laboratorio di Fisiologia generale, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Flavia Mulè
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Laboratorio di Fisiologia generale, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
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Davalli P, Rizzi F, Caldara GF, Davoli S, Corti A, Silva A, Astancolle S, Vitale M, Bettuzzi S, Arcari M, Azzali G. Chronic administration of green tea extract to TRAMP mice induces the collapse of Golgi apparatus in prostate secretory cells and results in alterations of protein post-translational processing. Int J Oncol 2011; 39:1521-7. [PMID: 21935569 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2011.1136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering its long latency, prostate cancer (PCa) represents an ideal target for chemoprevention strategies. Green tea extract (GTE) has been proved to be one of the most promising natural substances capable of inhibiting PCa progression in animal models (transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate), as well as in humans. However, the cellular targets of the GTE action are mostly unknown. The main objective of this work was to investigate whether the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus (GA), known to be actively involved in sensing stress stimuli and initiating and propagating cell death signalling, may represent the subcellular targets of GTE action. To this end, 42 TRAMP mice were divided into four experimental groups: groups II and IV, received GTE in tap water (0.3 g/100 ml solution) starting at 8 weeks of age and up to the time of sacrifice. Groups I and III were respective age-matched water-fed controls. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks (groups I and II) or 40 weeks of treatment (groups II and IV). We also treated TRAMP-C2 cells with GTE (20 µg/ml for 7 days) to check the expression profile of clusterin (CLU), a protein involved in prostate tumourigenesis, extensively processed through ER-GA before being secreted through the plasma membrane. In vivo we found that chronic administration of GTE in TRAMP mice results in collapse of ER and GA in prostate epithelial cells. Consistently, in vitro we found that the mature, fully processed form of CLU, sCLU, is strongly reduced by GTE treatment in TRAMP-C2 cells. Taking into account the sCLU biogenesis dependence on the ER-GA integrity and the proposed anti-apoptotic role of sCLU, the possibility for GTE to counteract PCa progression by interfering with sCLU biogenesis is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaola Davalli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I-41100 Modena, Italy
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