46 research outputs found
Circulating levels of adipose products and differences in fat distribution in the ovulatory and anovulatory phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Central fat distribution is increased in anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with ovulatory PCOS and matched controls. Among secreted adipocytokines, this is reflected mainly in lower levels of adiponectin
An elevated body mass index increases lung volume but reduces airflow in italian schoolchildren
Asthma and obesity are important and growing health issues worldwide. Obesity is considered a risk factor for asthma, due to the induction of changes in airway mechanics and altered airway inflammation
Abdominal fat quantity and distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and extent of its relation to insulin resistance.
CONTEXT: Increased abdominal fat has been linked to insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular risk. Because many patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) present abdominal obesity, it may be the cause of insulin resistance in this disorder.
SETTING: Fat quantity and distribution were evaluated by dual x-ray absorptiometry at the Departments of Clinical Medicine at the University of Palermo and the University of Naples, Italy.
PATIENTS: A total of 110 patients with PCOS and 112 weight-matched controls were studied. Anthropometric data, blood glucose, serum insulin, and testosterone were evaluated. Total, trunk, and central abdominal fat quantity were measured by total-body dual x-ray absorptiometry.
RESULTS: Compared with weight-matched controls, patients with PCOS had similar quantity of total and trunk fat but higher quantity of central abdominal fat. This difference was not observed when comparing obese PCOS and obese controls but depended on differences between overweight and normoweight patients and controls. All obese subjects, independently of having PCOS or not, had increased central abdominal fat. The same parameter was increased in 71% of overweight PCOS, 50% of overweight controls, and 30% of normoweight PCOS patients. PCOS patients with increased central abdominal fat had significantly higher (P < 0.01) insulin levels and significantly reduced (P < 0.01) insulin sensitivity than controls with similar quantities of central abdominal fat. Overweight PCOS patients with normal abdominal fat had significantly higher (P < 0.05) insulin levels and significantly reduced (P < 0.05) insulin sensitivity than overweight controls with normal abdominal fat.
CONCLUSIONS: Most obese subjects, independent of being affected by PCOS, have an abdominal form of obesity. However, abdominal fat excess may not be the only determinant of insulin resistance in PCOS
Changes in immunohistochemical levels and subcellular localization after therapy and correlation and colocalization with CD68 suggest a pathogenetic role of Hsp60 in ulcerative colitis.
In an earlier work, the role of heat shock protein
(Hsp60) in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) was
suggested by its significant increase in the pathological mucosa
parallel with an increase in inflammatory cells. More data in this
direction are reported in this work. We analyzed by immunohistochemistry
biopsies of colon tissue from 2 groups of patients with
UC and treated with either 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) alone or
in combination with a probiotic. We looked for inflammatory
markers and Hsp60. Both the treatments were effective in reducing
symptoms but the group treated with both 5-ASA and probiotics
showed better clinical results. Amelioration of symptoms was
associated with reduction of both inflammation and Hsp60, a
reduction that was most marked in the group treated with 5-ASA
and probiotics. The levels of Hsp60 positively correlated with
those of CD68-positive cells, and double immunofluorescence
showed a high index of colocalization of the chaperonin and CD68
in lamina propria. Immunoelectron microscopy showed thatHsp60Fclassically a mitochondrial proteinFwas abundantly
also present in cytosol in biopsies taken at the time of diagnosis,
but not after the treatment. Our data suggest that Hsp60 is an
active player in pathogenesis of UC and it can be hypothesized
that the chaperonin is responsible, at least in part, for initiation
and maintenance of disease
Nanovesicular Mediation of the Gut–Brain Axis by Probiotics: Insights into Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Background: Dysbiosis, influenced by poor diet or stress, is associated with various
systemic diseases. Probiotic supplements are recognized for stabilizing gut microbiota and alleviating gastrointestinal issues, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study focused on the tryptophan pathways, which are important for the regulation of serotonin levels, and on host physiology and behavior regulation. Methods: Nanovesicles were isolated from the plasma of subjects with chronic diarrhea, both before and after 60 days of consuming a probiotic mix (Acronelle®, Bromatech S.r.l., Milan, Italy). These nanovesicles were assessed for the presence of Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (TDO 2). Furthermore, the probiotics mix, in combination with H2O2, was used to treat HT29 cells to explore its cytoprotective and anti-stress effect. Results: In vivo, levels of TDO 2 in nanovesicles were enhanced in the blood after probiotic treatment, suggesting a role in the gut–brain axis. In the in vitro model, a typical H2O2-induced stress effect occurred, which the probiotics mix was able to recover, showing a cytoprotective effect. The probiotics mix treatment significantly reduced the heat shock protein 60 kDa levels and was able to preserve intestinal integrity and barrier function by restoring the expression and redistribution of tight junction proteins. Moreover, the probiotics mix increased the expression of TDO 2 and serotonin receptors. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the gut–brain axis mediation by nanovesicles, influencing central nervous system function
Tissue engineering for the development of threedimensional in vitro models of human mucosae
The recent progress in the biomaterials field and the need for novel 3D cell culture models has led us to develop a new model, the 3D mucosal outgrowth, with advanced characteristics: the simultaneous presence of two differentiated cytotypes (a polarized epithelium above a fibroblastic layer), a complex extracellular matrix (ECM) and the possibility for long-term exposures. This model can be used to grow different human mucosae in vitro, with two types of support scaffolds, a porous polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane, for which the model was initially developed, and a poly-L-lactide (PLLA) membrane that was later adapted to the model due to its biodegradability. A fragment of the tissue of interest is placed on the membrane and embedded within a synthetic extra cellular matrix; during the culture period, cells start to grow outwards from the central biopsy and form a new mucosa. Outgrowths grown on PET and PLLA were characterised morphologically by electron microscopy, and immunotyped by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. When grown on PET, all tested mucosae (bronchial, oral and colorectal) showed good differentiation of the relevant cytotypes and proper organization of the ECM. For this reason, they were used for functional studies. Outgrowths developed on PLLA instead, showed a lower degree of cell differentiation and a tendency to form tubular growths that stained positively for endothelial markers. Further evaluations are needed to verify the possibility to use PLLA as a support scaffold for this model
Lung Function Decline in Adult Asthmatics—A 10-Year Follow-Up Retrospective and Prospective Study
Asthma may have an impact on lung function decline but conflicting results are reported in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline. We aimed to describe the changes in FEV1 in lifelong non-smoking adult asthmatic outpatients during a 10-year follow-up comparing years 1–5 (1st period) with years 6–10 (2nd period) to assess factors affecting these changes. A total of 100 outpatients performed spirometry every 3 months during a 10-year survey. FEV1/Ht3 slope values of the 2nd period reduced significantly respect to the 1st period (p < 0.0001). FEV1 slopes of years 1–5 and 6–10 were inversely associated with FEV1 at enrolment (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). Reversibility and variability FEV1 showed a significant effect on the 1st period slopes (p = 0.01 and p < 0.04, respectively). Frequent exacerbators in the 1st year had steeper FEV1/Ht3 slopes in the 1st period (p = 0.01). The number of subjects using higher doses of ICS was significantly lower at the 10th years respect to the 5th and the 1st year (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively). This study shows that FEV1 decline in treated adult asthmatics non-smokers, over 10-year follow-up, is not constant. In particular, it slows down over time, and is influenced by FEV1 at enrolment, reversibility, variability FEV1 and exacerbation score in the 1st year
Airway Obstruction in Primary Care Patients: Need for Implementing Spirometry Use
(1) Background: To detect early airway obstruction in an adult primary care setting. (2) Methods: Seventeen general practitioners (GP) were involved. A total of 912 patients consulting their GPs over 40 years were recruited: 583 of them (323M) agreed to perform/undergo all the procedures: respiratory questionnaire, mMRC questionnaire, and spirometry. We identified four subgroups: physician COPD patients; physician asthma patients; asthma-COPD overlap syndrome patients; and no respiratory diagnosis subjects, on the basis of physician diagnosis. For screening purposes, an FEV1/FVC p p = 0.01), older age (p p = 0.002) were the best predictors of airway obstruction. (4) Conclusions: A high prevalence of AO was found. In AO we found a high prevalence of subjects without respiratory symptoms or respiratory chronic diagnosis. Airway obstruction was predicted by the presence of wheezing, sputum, older age, and male gender