New silibinin glyco-conjugates: Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant properties

New silibinin glyco-conjugates have been synthesized by efficient method and in short time. Exploiting our solution phase strategy, several structurally diverse silibinin glyco-conjugates (gluco, manno, galacto, and lacto-) were successfully realized in very good yields and in short time. In preliminary study to evaluate their antioxidant and neuroprotective activities new derivatives were subjected to DPPH free radical scavenging assay and the Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition models assay. Irrespective of the sugar moiety examined, new glyco-conjugates are more than 50 times water-soluble of silibinin. In the other hand they exhibit a radical scavenging activities slightly higher than to silibinin and XO inhibition at least as silibinin. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Urotensin-II Receptor: A Double Identity Receptor Involved in Vasoconstriction and in the Development of Digestive Tract Cancers and other Tumors

Urotensin II and Urotensin-II receptors are important molecular factors that regulate vasoconstriction and all the diseases that are linked to abnormalities in blood pressure regulation (i.e.: hypertension, kidney diseases, cirrhosis etc.). Recently, Urotensin II and its receptor have also been involved in metabolic syndrome, diabetes and schizophrenia. Recent strong findings suggest that Urotensin II and its receptor are involved in the onset and development of different epithelial cancers. Indeed, it was reported that cell growth, motility and invasion in human breast, bladder, prostate, colorectal and glioblastoma cancer cells were regulated by Urotensin II and Urotensin-II receptor axis. This axis also regulated focal adhesion kinase and small Guanosine-5'-triphosphate binding proteins that likely had a role in motility and invasion mediated by Urotensin-II receptor. Additionally, its expression on tumour tissues is variably associated to the prediction of the clinical outcome of the patients and it can be considered an alternative molecular marker to be used as prognostic factor in human cancers. In conclusion, a new weapon in the treatment of human cancers is highlighting a new scenario for the future

Silybin-Phosphatidylcholine Complex Protects Human Gastric and Liver Cells from Oxidative Stress

Silybin is the main component of silymarin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions. Our aim was to compare the effect of silybin used as single substance, silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (SilPho), and derivatives of silybin (MannpSil, GalpSil, GlcpSil, LactpSil) on MKN28 and HepG2 cell viability and cell death, in vitro, after induction of oxidative stress

Silybin and the liver: From basic research to clinical practice

Herbal products are increasingly used, mainly in chronic liver disease. Extracts of milk thistle, Silymarin and silybin, are the most prescribed natural compounds, with different indications, but with no definitive results in terms of clinical efficacy. This review analyzes the available studies on the effects of the purified product silybin, both as a free and a conjugated molecule, on liver cells or on experimentally induced liver damage, and in patients with liver disease. We searched PUBMED for articles pertaining to the in vitro and in vivo effects of silybin, its antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, as well as its metabolic effects, combined with the authors’ own knowledge of the literature. Results indicate that the bioavailability of silybin phytosome is higher than that of silymarin and is less influenced by liver damage; silybin does not show significant interactions with other drugs and at doses < 10 g/d has no significant side effects. Experimental studies have clearly demonstrated the antifibrotic, antioxidant and metabolic effects of silybin; previous human studies were insufficient for confirming the clinical efficacy in chronic liver disease, while ongoing clinical trials are promising. On the basis of literature data, silybin seems a promising drug for chronic liver disease

Gut-Brain Axis: a new revolution to understand the pathogenesis of autism and other severe neurological diseases

The gut–brain axis (GBA) is a complex communication network interfacing the gut and the brain of a single individual. The central (CNS) and enteric (ENS) nervous systems are, of course, communicating; however, other pathways are involved in GBA, among which are immune activation, intestinal barrier function, and entero- endocrine signaling. All these communication lines are bidirectional and involve neuro-immuno-endocrine mediators. The reason for the development of such a complex network is to maintain gastrointestinal homeostasis keeping in mind its links with cognitive and affective functions. Recently, the role of enteric flora, or microbiota, has been recognized as a part of the gut–brain axis. The gut microbiota can modulate brain function, forming a crucial link in the bidirectional interactions between the intestine and the nervous system

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver: Epidemiology and Natural History

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), defined as the presence of a significant amount of lipid accumulation in the liver (at least in 5% of hepatocytes), represents a challenging issue for the Hepatologists. NAFLD is not represented by a single entity, but rather by two different entities that have different natural history and evolution that range from simple fat accumulation in the liver (without any consequence), to necroinflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The reason of these differences has to be found in the host characteristics and associated risk factors. Globally, its prevalence among liver diseases, and in the general population, is rising in the recent years along with its associated conditions: obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. This increment, together with the reported clinical conditions, may be accounted for changes in dietary habits and the increase of sedentary lifestyle. Its diffusion seems to be pandemic, given that it is beginning to affect the populations in the developing world due to the spread of Western lifestyle. This is particularly worrying in young adults and children in what seems to have become the main cause of liver disease. Even if the real rate of global incidence of NAFLD are not known, its worldwide prevalence in general population is estimated to be 20-30% in Western Countries and 5-18% in Asia and it is increasing over time. In this review we will report on the global and regional prevalence of NAFLD, the principal risk factors and the natural history of its different presentation

PRIN: PROGETTI DI RICERCA DI RILEVANTE INTERESSE NAZIONALE - BANDO 2015 Prot. 2015MEW7XE LANDesign ali-ment-azione: Diaeta mediterranea

Il Progetto di Ricerca Applicata [LANDesign ali-ment-azione®: Diaeta Mediterranea] SUN, UNISA, UNIROMA1, UNISG con UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE LA PLATA, BENECON Scarl Membro Permanente del Forum UNESCO University and Heritage, COMUNITA EUROPEA, MIUR Campania, implementa la filiera [Università + Scuola + Famiglie + Aziende + Enti] -già istituita dal 2010- per educare alla [ali-ment-azione]® dei 5 sensi più uno, il buon senso: azioni ibride tra creatività/ali, scienze/mente, prodotti/azione. II Progetto è il luogo della ri-formulazione dei rapporti tra uomo e ambiente, cibo e salute, terra e design, contenuto e contenitore, della ricerca e dell'innovazione scientifica per lo sviluppo di prodotti e servizi LANDesign® tesi ad una “ecologia integrale” (Papa Francesco, Laudato sì, 2015), Il Progetto è testimonial de "Le Universita' per EXPO 2015" e "Progetto Scuola EXPO 2015", menzione COMPASSO D'ORO INTERNATIONAL AWARD 2015 “Design for food and nutrition”, vincitore "Premio Speciale Progettazione partecipata" e "Premio on line | Sezione opere realizzate" del X Concorso IQU 2015 (Innovazione e Qualità Urbana); II Premio Concorso Internazionale di Design POLI.Design "Le 5 stagioni 2015; 2013 III Premio Concorso "Ars. Arte che realizza occupazione sociale" Fondazione Accenture Menzione speciale MIBACT; 2011 Premio "OSCAR GREEN" Coldiretti. ll focus del Progetto è "e-duco/pro-duco" filiera formativa/informativa/conformativa [Università + Scuola + Famiglie + Aziende + Enti] con un approccio multidisciplinare LANDesign® per i settori sanitario, agro-alimentare, nutraceutico, gastronomico, moda, turismo. E per educare occorre fare o meglio far fare (cfr. DD MIUR 06.10.14.; Nota MIUR nº7853 14.10.2011) attraverso nuovi segni, nuove forme che consentano di recuperare il valore olistico della Dieta mediterranea sostituendo la “piramide alimentare” macroscopico errore iconografico. L'educazione alimentare necessità di un “ritorno alle origini”, in cui si ribadiscano i ruoli fondamentali della ritmicità dell'assunzione degli alimenti, della preparazione dei cibi, ma anche del “convivio” e dell'ambiente circostante. I prodotti LANDesign® utilizzano colori estratti da residui di piante coltivate e spontanee dell'area mediterranea per la tintura di materiali naturali opportunamente selezionati e controllati. Il sistema culturale e produttivo che caratterizza l'alimentazione dei popoli mediterranei struttura il concetto di Presìdio Territoriale ovvero di una nuova qualità di sistema comunicabile tramite la nascita del MediterraneanFood Lab. Il Progetto e-duca agli aspetti formativi sulla fisiopatologia della alimentazione e pro-duce, innovando, circuiti di distribuzione e vendita dei prodotti della Diaeta mediterranea, negli aspetti formali e funzionali, medici e nutraceutici, enogastronomici e culinari, antropologici e simbolici, economici, ecologici ed emotivi

Alcoholic Liver Disease and Hepatitis C Chronic Infection

Alcoholic and virus C hepatitis currently represent the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Every year many people die and are subjected to complex hospitalization and medical assistance due to these pathologies. Alcoholic liver disease and hepatitis C virus chronic infection are often present in the same patient. These two pathologies sinergically act in determining the onset and progression of liver damage that, from the chronic hepatitis staging, may rapidly progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review we analysed physiopathological aspects and biomolecular interactions that relate ethanol and hepatitis C virus in determining liver damage; moreover we took into account the effect on the natural history of liver disease deriving from the co-presence of these pathologies. Therefore we paid particular attention to the ability of ethanol and hepatitis C virus to in inducing oxidative stress or lipid accumulation, and analyzed the basic mechanisms of fibrogenesis that both diseases have got, amplified by their co-presence in the same patient. Finally we paid attention to the oncogenetic mechanisms inducing hepatocellular carcinoma and variability of response to antiviral therapy that derives from alcohol abuse in a subject affected by C hepatitis

Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Dietary Intake in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

There are very few reports about the intake of nutrients for the development or progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study was to identify the dietary habits and the nutrient intake in patients with NASH, in comparison to chronic hepatitis C (HCV)-related patients. We prospectively evaluated the intake of macronutrients and micronutrients in 124 NAFLD and 162 HCV patients, compared to 2326 subjects as a control group. We noticed major differences in macro- and micronutrients intakes in NASH and HCV patients compared to controls. Proteins, carbohydrate (glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose and amide), saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), folic acid, vitamin A and C (p < 0.0001), and thiamine (p < 0.0003) ingestion was found to be higher in patients with NASH, while total lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), riboflavin and vitamin B6 daily intake were lower compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Similarly, NASH patients had significantly reduced carbohydrate intake (p < 0.0001) and an increased intake of calcium (p < 0.0001) compared to HCV positive patients. Finally, we showed in NASH males an increase in the intake of SFA, PUFA, soluble carbohydrates (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in the amount of fiber (p < 0.0001) compared to control males. In NASH female population, we showed an increase of daily total calories, SFA, MUFA, soluble carbohydrates, starch and vitamin D ingested (p < 0.0001) with a reduction of fibers and calcium (p < 0.0001) compared to control females. This study showed how NASH patients’ diets, in both male and females, is affected by a profound alteration in macro- and micronutrients intake