Biomolecular Modulation of Neurodegenerative Events during Ageing

The objective is to assess the modulation of retinal and optic nerve degenerative events induced by the combination of α-lipoic acid (ALA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in an animal model of ageing. For this study, 24 male Wistar-Harlan strain rats were left to age for up to 24 months. One group of rats was subjected to a diet supplemented with ALA and SOD for 8 weeks, while another group was used as a positive control and not subjected to any dietary treatment. To assess the cytoprotective effects of the antioxidants, a morphological analysis was carried out on sections of retina and optic nerve head, stained with haematoxylin-eosin, followed by an analysis of the modifications to nuclear DNA detected by the TUNEL technique. The lipid peroxidation assay was used to assess the damage induced by oxidative stress at cell membrane level. The molecules involved in apoptosis mediated by oxidative stress, such as caspase-3 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, were also assayed by immunolocalization and western blot. ALA and SOD are able to counteract senile neurodegenerative deterioration to the retina and optic nerve. Indeed, the combination of these antioxidant molecules can reduce oxidative stress levels and thus prevent both nuclear degradation and subsequent cell death

Cataract surgery complications: An in vitro model of toxic effects of Ropivacaine and lidocaine

Background: Intraoperative lidocaine is widely used in controlling discomfort during cataract surgery. However, recent studies have confirmed the toxic effect of lidocaine on ganglion cells. Ropivacaine is an anesthetic recently introduced in clinical practice that couples a long anesthetic effect with a mild vasoconstrictive action. Objective: The aim of this study was an in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of ropivacaine in reducing the degenerative effects usually observed during lidocaine treatment. Methods: Ropivacaine and lidocaine toxicity has been evaluated in murine fibroblasts 3T6 by measuring percentage of cell death, cell growth inhibition, and DNA degradation. The choice of this cellular line is motivated by the presence of a complete apoptotic system that can be assimilated to the endothelium precursor cells. Results: We observed that lidocaine 0.25% decreases cell viability and causes DNA degradation in murine fibroblasts 3T6, whereas ropivacaine 0.5% does not cause any cellular or molecular degenerative effect. Conclusions: Our in vitro studies confirm that ropivacaine is less toxic than lidocaine to these cells. Therefore, in vivo studies in the anterior chamber could be useful to evaluate the effects of ropivacaine versus lidocaine in intracameral anesthesia in cataract surgery. © 2011 Vergani & Rusconi, publisher and licensee Adis Data Information BV

An in vitro model for post-trabeculectomy: evaluation of drugs differently controlling cell proliferation

[No abstract available

Biomonitoraggio nei vigili del fuoco a rischio di esposizione da sostanze aerodisperse.

Organo ufficiale dell' Ordine Nazionale dei Biolog

"RISPOSTE CELLULARI E MECCANISMI DI DIFESA ATTIVATI A SEGUITO DELLA INDUZIONE DI STRESS OSSIDATIVO"

Progetto C26A087EYW Ricerche UNIVERSITARIE (ex ricerche di ATENEO

Effetti di sostanze d’origine naturale sulla sopravvivenza neuronale e sull'angiogenesi in retina di ratto a differenti fasi della vita postnatale

Partecipazione al progetto C26A107WYN RICERCA UNIVERSITARI

Overexpression of the Pdx-1 homeodomain transcription factor impairs glucose metabolism in cultured rat hepatocytes

The Pdx-1 transcription factor plays crucial functions both during pancreas development and in the adult β cells. Previous studies have indicated that ectopic Pdx-1 expression in liver or intestinal primary and immortalized cells is sufficient to promote activation of insulin gene expression. This work is focused on the molecular and physiological consequences of Pdx-1 overexpression in liver cells. We present evidence that Pdx-1 affects the level of expression of one of the four mammalian hexokinase isozymes. These are glucose phosphorylating enzymes involved in essential cellular functions such as glucose sensing, metabolic energy production and apoptosis. Specifically, our data show that over-expression of Pdx-1 in cultured hepatocytes is able to repress the expression of hexokinase 2 (Hxk 2) and the phenomenon is mediated via binding of Pdx-1 to a specific sequence on the Hxk 2 gene promoter. As a consequence, liver cells over-expressing Pdx-1 present interesting alterations concerning glucose metabolism. © 2008 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International

Regeneration and DNA demethylation do not trigger PDX-1 expression in rat hepatocytes

AIM: To explore the possibility that PDX-1 gene is reactivated as a consequence of molecular events that occur during liver regeneration