The modulation of sirtuins and apoptotic proteins in rats after exhaustive exercise

A large body of evidence shows that a single bout of strenuous exercise induces oxidative stress in circu- lating human lymphocytes leading to lipid peroxide- tion, DNA damage, mitochondrial perturbations, and protein oxidation. In a training experiment, Wistar rats were divided into control group (CG) and exer- cise group (EG). After a running level exercise until exhaustion, we observed an increase in the mRNA content and protein expression of SIRT1 and SIRT7 in the EG compared to the CG. Moreover, such train- ing exercise did not change mRNA transcripts and protein expression of FOXO3A and GADD45. We also observed an increase of pro-apoptotic protein bax and a decrease of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 in the EG. Accordingly, we observed a caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage only in EG rats. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant correlation between SIRT1 and SIRT7 expression and apoptotic proteins such as bax, bcl-2 in both tissues. We conclude that, in both muscle, such exercise activates both a damaging apoptotic mecha- nism with bax increase and bcl-2 decrease and a counterbalancing protective mechanism with SIRT1 and SIRT7 increase

Degenerate PCR method for identification of an antiapoptotic gene in BHV-1

To investigate on the hypothetical presence of an antiapoptotic gene, we utilized the CODEHOP (COnsensus-DEgenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primers) strategy amplifying unknown sequences from a background of genomic (bovine herpesvirus type-1) BHV-1 DNA. An alignment of carboxyl-terminal domains belonging to three proteins encoded by gamma 34.5, MyD116 and GADD34 genes, was carried out to design degenerate PCR primers in highly conserved regions. This allowed the amplification of a 110 bp fragment. This fragment was subjected to automatic sequencing and DNA sequence analysis revealed that its position resided between the nt 14363 and the nt 14438 in bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) Cooper strain sharing an identity of 86% (UL14). Transient transfections showed that ULI 4 protein is efficient in protecting MDBK and K562 cells from sorbitol induced apoptosis. The protein's anti-apoptotic function may derive from its heat shock protein-like properties

Antioxidant Effects of a Hydroxytyrosol-Based Pharmaceutical Formulation on Body Composition, Metabolic State, and Gene Expression: A Randomized Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) plays a significant role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) protection, and its metabolites are able to protect from the endothelial dysfunction commonly present in atherosclerosis. This randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial determined the effect in healthy volunteers of two gastroresistant capsules containing 15 mg/day of HT, for a 3-week period (HTT). Evaluation of nutritional status, serum metabolites, oxidative stress biomarkers, and gene expression of 9 genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and CVDs was performed. Oxidation biomarkers like thiol group (p = 0.001), total antioxidant status (TAS) (p = 0.001), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) (2−ΔΔCt = 3.7), and plasma concentration of HT (2.83 μg·mL−1) were significantly increased,while nitrite (p = 0.001), nitrate (p = 0.001), and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = 0.02), were drastically reduced after HTT. A significant reduction of body fat mass percentage (p = 0.01), suprailiac skinfold (p = 0.01), and weight (p = 0.04; Δ% = −0.46%) was observed after HTT. This study shows that regular intake of 15 mg/day of HT changed body composition parameters and modulated the antioxidant profile and the expression of inflammation and oxidative stress-related genes. However, it is advisable to personalize HT doses in order to exert its health benefits in CVD prevention and protection of LDL-C particles from oxidative damage. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01890070

Proteus syndrome: a brief review

La sindrome di Proteo (Proteus) è una rara sindrome di mosaicismo caratterizzata da aree localizzate di eccessiva crescita rispetto ad aree controlaterali normali. In questa review riassumiamo i meccanismi eziopatogenetici responsabili delle anomalie di crescita tessutale e i criteri diagnostici utilizzati per la corretta formulazione della diagnosi.The Proteus syndrome is a rare mosaic syndrome, characterized by regional or localized areas of excess growth compared to equivalent normal parts of the body. In this review, we summarize the etiopathogenetic mechanisms responsible for tissue overgrowth anomalies and the diagnostic criteria utilized for the correct formulation of its diagnosis

Is body cell mass a predictive index of performance in male recreational long-distance runners?

Body composition could be useful for evaluating specific adaptations to different physical training regimens. The objective of this study was to verify the impact of body cell mass (BCM), fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM), assessed by bioelectrical impedance, in time trials in male recreational long-distance runners (42.195 km). The study group comprised 14 healthy, well-trained male recreational long-distance runners (age 45.9 ± 7.2 years), all of whom were participants in the Rome marathon. Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance measurements were obtained to determine body composition. During the week before the marathon, maximal oxygen uptake was determined using an incremental running test on a motorized treadmill. BCM was significantly and inversely correlated with the marathon time of the runners. FFM was also correlated with marathon time, but to a lower level than BCM, and FM was not correlated. In addition, Resting metabolic rate was inversely correlated with marathon time (r = −0.69) and highly correlated with BCM (r = 0.77). In conclusion, BCM measured by bioelectrical impedance is a strong predictor of muscle efficiency

Proteus syndrome: a brief review

La sindrome di Proteo (Proteus) è una rara sindrome di mosaicismo caratterizzata da aree localizzate di eccessiva crescita rispetto ad aree controlaterali normali. In questa review riassumiamo i meccanismi eziopatogenetici responsabili delle anomalie di crescita tessutale e i criteri diagnostici utilizzati per la corretta formulazione della diagnosi.The Proteus syndrome is a rare mosaic syndrome, characterized by regional or localized areas of excess growth compared to equivalent normal parts of the body. In this review, we summarize the etiopathogenetic mechanisms responsible for tissue overgrowth anomalies and the diagnostic criteria utilized for the correct formulation of its diagnosis