Characterization of the Volatile Components of Cannabis Preparations by Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Headspace-Gas Chromatography with Mass Detector (SPME-HSGC/MS)

Solid phase microextraction coupled to headspace sampling and GC/MS technique was applied to the characterization of the volatile components of several Cannabis preparations (hashish). Different parameters of the analytical method (fiber, coating thickness, sampling and exposition temperatures, sample preparation) were evaluated to optimize the characterization of the volatile components. a-Pinene, f-myrcene, limonene, 4-carene, trans-3(10) caren-2-ol, 4,7,7-trimethylbicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-ol, caryophyllene, f-humulene, azulene, gurjunene, ledene and caryophyllene oxide were identified among the volatile components of all hashish preparations. Moreover, a suitable internal standard (nonane) was chosen, the reproducibility and linearity of the method were evaluated in order to carry out the quantitative determination of caryphyllene, the most abundant volatile terpene. Its quantity ranged from 800 to 3000 \ub5g/g

In-vivo pharmacokinetic of paclitaxel released by devitalized microfragmented fat tissue: potential application in chemotherapy

Introduction. Paclitaxel (PTX) is a major chemotherapy drug used for treatment of different types of solid tumors. It belongs to the class of tubulin-targeting drugs, causing interferences in normal function of microtubules during cell division. Devitalized microfragmented adipose tissue (DMAT) was engineered into a biocompatible scaffold for long-term drug delivery of PTX. Thus, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties of DMAT uploaded with PTX (DMAT-PTX) was investigated into a mouse model prior to clinical evaluation in pharmaco-oncology. Methods. DMAT was prepared by devitalization (by freezing/thawing procedure) and disaggregation of lipoaspirate obtained by human donors. PTX was internalized by shaking into DMAT prior administration. For the pharmacokinetic and biodistribution experiments, BALB/cOlaHsd mice were injected, either subcutaneously (s.c., n=12) or intraperitoneally (i.p., n=12) with 10 mg/kg of DMAT-PTX. After 2, 24, 72 and 168 hrs post treatment, blood, livers and kidneys from all mice were collected. From mice treated s.c. also the site of DMAT-PTX injection was removed and stored until use. PTX was extracted from samples, either by solid phase extraction or by monophasic liquid extraction, and then analysed in LC-MS/MS. Results. DMAT-PTX after i.p. injections showed a higher Cmax compared to s.c. delivery (1904 vs 279 ng/mL in plasma at 2 h), although after 24 h the plasma levels were higher in s.c. treated animals (19.1 vs 6.1 ng/mL). Similar results were obtained for kidney and liver. In addition, slow release of PTX from DMAT-PTX specimens was demonstrated also by analysing its kinetic disappearance from the site of injection: PTX ranged from 380 \ub5g/g at 2h to 1.5 \ub5g/g at 7 days. Conclusions. The analysis of PTX at the site of DMAT-PTX injection shows that this new lipophilic delivery system is able to produce a slow and long-lasting release of PTX, suggesting its possible application in counteracting tumour relapsing after surgical resection

Multiple target tissue effects of GLP-1 analogues on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Accumulating experimental and clinical evidences over the last decade indicate that GLP-1 analogues have a series of central nervous system and peripheral target tissues actions which are able to significantly influence the liver metabolism. GLP-1 analogues pleiotropic effects proved to be efficacious in T2DM subjects not only reducing liver steatosis and ameliorating NAFLD and NASH, but also in lowering plasma glucose and liver inflammation, improving cardiac function and protecting from kidney dysfunction. While the experimental and clinical data are robust, the precise mechanisms of action potentially involved in these protective multi-target effects need further investigation. Here we present a systematic review of the most recent literature data on the multi-target effects of GLP-1 analogues on the liver, on adipose and muscular tissue and on the nervous system, all capable of influencing significant aspects of the fatty liver disease physiopathology. From this analysis, we can conclude that the multi-target beneficial action of the GLP-1 analogues could explain the positive effects observed in animal and human models on progression of NAFLD to NASH

Human breast milk as source of sphingolipids for newborns : comparison with infant formulas and commercial cow's milk

Background: In the past two decades, sphingolipids have become increasingly appreciated as bioactive molecules playing important roles in a wide array of pathophysiology mechanisms. Despite advances in the field, sphingolipids as nutrients remain little explored. Today the research is starting to move towards the study of the sphingomyelin content in human breast milk, recommended for feeding infants. Methods: In the present study, we performed a lipidomic analysis in human breast milk in relation with maternal diet during pregnancy, in infant formulas, and in commercial whole and semi-skimmed milks for adults. Mediterranean, carnivorous and vegetarian diets were considered. Results: The results showed that total sphingomyelin, ceramide and dihydroceramide species are independent on the diet. Interestingly, the milk sphingolipid composition is species-specific. In fact, infant formulas and commercial milks for adults have a lower level of total sphingomyelin and ceramide content than human breast milk with very different composition of each sphingolipid species. Conclusions: We conclude that human breast milk is a better source of sphingolipids than infant formulas for baby nutrition with potential implications for the brain development and cognitive functions