Purple corn extract induces long-lasting reprogramming and M2 phenotypic switch of adipose tissue macrophages in obese mice

Background: Obesity is a chronic and systemic infammatory disorder and an important risk factor for the onset of several chronic syndromes. Adipose tissue (AT) plays a crucial role in the development of obesity, promoting the infl\u2011 tration and accumulation of leukocytes in the tissue and sustaining adipocyte expansion. Anthocyanins exert a broad range of health benefts, but their efect in improving obesity-related infammation in vivo has been poorly character\u2011 ized. We examined the efects of a purple corn cob extract in the context of AT infammation in a murine diet-induced obesity (DIO) model. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to control diet (CTR+H2O), high fat diet (HF+H2O) or high fat diet plus purple corn extract (HF+RED) for 12 weeks. Blood glucose, AT, and liver gene expression, metabolism, biochem\u2011 istry, and histology were analysed and fow cytometry was performed on AT leukocytes and Kupfer cells. Results: RED extract intake resulted in lower MCP-1 mediated recruitment and proliferation of macrophages into crown-like structures in the AT. AT macrophages (ATM) of HF+RED group upregulated M2 markers (ArgI, Fizz1, TGF\u3b2), downregulating infammatory mediators (TNF-\u3b1, IL-6, IL-1\u3b2, COX-2) thanks to the suppression of NF-kB signalling. ATM also increased the expression of iron metabolism-related genes (FABP4, Hmox1, Ferroportin, CD163, TfR1, Ceruloplasmin, FtL1, FtH1) associated with a reduction in iron storage and increased turnover. ATM from HF+RED mice did not respond to LPS treatment ex vivo, confrming the long-lasting efects of the treatment on M2 polarization. Adipocytes of HF+RED group improved lipid metabolism and displayed a lower infammation grade. Liver histology revealed a remarkable reduction of steatosis in the HF+RED group, and Kupfer cell profling displayed a marked switch towards the M2 phenotype. Conclusions: RED extract attenuated AT infammation in vivo, with a long-lasting reprogramming of ATM and adipo\u2011 cyte profles towards the anti-infammatory phenotype, therefore representing a valuable supplement in the context of obesity-associated disorders

The macrophage tetraspan MS4A4A enhances dectin-1-dependent NK cell-mediated resistance to metastasis

Fondazione Cariplo (grant no. 2015–0564 to A.M.)Cluster Alisei (grant no. MEDINTECH CTN01_00177_962865 to A.M.)European Research Council (grant no. 669415-PHII to A.M.)Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC IG-2016 grant no. 19014 to A.M.; AIRC 5 × 1000 grant no. 21147 to A.M.; AIRC IG-2016 grant no. 19213 to M.L.)Medical Research Council (Pathobiology of Early Arthritis Cohort grant no. 36661 to C.P.)Arthritis Research UK Experimental Treatment Centre (grant no. 20022 to C.P.

Proximate Composition, Polyphenol Content and Anti-inflammatory Properties of White and Pigmented Italian Rice Varieties

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major staple food for the majority of the world population. Grown and harvested as paddy, it is present on our tables as white rice (milled), brown rice (dehusked) or, after being subjected to thermal processes, as parboiled rice. Recently, pigmented varieties are also appreciated (red and black rice). In this study, we evaluated proximate composition, polyphenol content and anti-inflammatory properties of Italian pigmented rice varieties and bran as well as white rice in different processed forms (milled, parboiled and integral), in order to assess the nutritional and antioxidant properties of Italian rice varieties and their capacity to reduce inflammation. Our results showed that pigmented rice varieties displayed high antioxidant capacity along with the highest flavonoid and polyphenol content. Anthocyanins were mainly present in black rice, whereas alkylresorcinols were found only in red rice. Rice bran proved to be particularly rich in carotenoids. The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory properties using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages pre-treated with extracts obtained from integral, black, red rice and bran showed that the expression of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) was specifically reduced at both transcript and protein level by extracts, indicating the capacity of rice extracts to modulate the inflammatory response

A New Strategy of Monitoring in Cultural Heritage Preservation: the Trajan Arch in Benevento as a Case of Study.

An effective assessment of the static and dynamic structural behavior of historical monuments requires the development and validation of suitable adaptive structural models using high quality experimental data acquired with an effective continuous and distributed monitoring. Furthermore, this adaptive strategy allows an effective evaluation of the health status and of the evolution along the time of a historical monument, providing relevant information to plan appropriate actions for its long-term preservation. The Trajan Arch in Benevento was chosen as a case of study to develop and apply this new adaptive strategy in cultural heritage preservation. In the paper, after a description of the innovative monitoring system, based on state-of-the art mechanical sensors, we present and discuss the results of two tests, comparing the measurements with the predictions of an adaptive structural FEM model developed for the dynamical simulation of the Trajan Arch

Fermented pomegranate wastes as sustainable source of ellagic acid: Antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory action, and controlled release under simulated digestion conditions

Wastes deriving from production of wines by yeast fermentation of Punica granatum (fermented pomegranate wastes, FPW) showed a marked antioxidant activity in a series of conventional chemical tests. HPLC/MS analysis of the methanol extract showed the presence of ellagic acid (EA) as the main phenolic component at levels up to 40% on a w/w basis. Experiments using murine macrophages showed that FPW extract is able to reduce the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS. A remarkable increase in the antioxidant properties and extractable EA content was observed following acid hydrolytic treatment of FPW. Under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, EA was slowly released from FPW up to 80% of the overall content over 2 h incubation at the slightly alkaline pHs simulating the small intestine environment, suggesting a potential of the material in nutraceuticals and other application

Aging and cancer: The role of macrophages and neutrophils

Impaired immune function has been implicated in the declining health and higher incidence of cancer in the elderly. However, age-related changes to immunity are not completely understood. Neutrophils and macrophages represent the first line of defence yet their ability to phagocytose pathogens decrease with aging. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are critical in eliminating tumors, but T cell function is also compromised with aging. T cell responses can be regulated by macrophages and may depend on the functional phenotype macrophages adopt in response to microenvironmental signals. This can range from pro-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic M1 to anti-inflammatory, pro-tumorigenic M2 macrophages. Macrophages in healthy elderly adipose and hepatic tissue exhibit a more pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype compared to young hosts whilst immunosuppressive M2 macrophages increase in elderly lymphoid tissues, lung and muscle. These M2-like macrophages demonstrate altered responses to stimuli. Recent studies suggest that neutrophils also regulate T cell function and, like macrophages, neutrophil function is modulated with aging. It is possible that age-modified tissue-specific macrophages and neutrophils contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation that is associated with dysregulated macrophage-mediated immunosuppression, which together are responsible for development of multiple pathologies, including cancer. This review discusses recent advances in macrophage and neutrophil biology in healthy aging and cancer

Archaeometric characterization of common wares from Ancient Appia Landscapes Survey (Benevento - Italy): new elements to reconstruct a Late Roman micro-regional ceramic production.

The Ancient Appia Landscapes project (AAL) has been operating since 2011 in partnership with the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Salerno, Avellino, Benevento and Caserta. The main idea of the research was the topographic reconstruction of the Via Appia Antica along the stretch between Beneventum and the so-called Appian Bridge on the Calore River, the final goal being the reconstitution of the ancient landscape in this area strongly characterised by Via Appia, in a holist approach to environmental events, population dynamics, settlement patterns and economic activities. The areas concerned with the hypothetical route have been detected using intensive survey techniques and, in some cases, also thematic surveys in sites of specific interest. There is no doubt that one of the most important and complex parts of the research survey is the quantification and classification of ceramic finds. In this study of all the ceramic assemblages of the AAL Surveys and the completion of archaeometric analyses will provide more information towards understanding the production, distribution and consumption patterns of late antique ceramics in the south-east area of Benevento. For now, the pottery analysis of UT 0466 clearly shows that local productions adopted the morphological repertoire that circulated in Naples and Campania in the 5th-6th century, using similar manufacturing techniques, intentionally associated with particular forms of a different cultural tradition. Twenty-four samples from thousands of fragments were selected for archeometric analyses. The procedures applied were: macroscopic analyses, to describe the ceramic paste following the scheme proposed by Williams (1990); optical microscopy observations of thin sections using a Nikon Eclipse 6400 POL microscope with polarised light (20x, 40x, 100x, 200x magnification), to define the main petrographic groups and describe mineralogical and textural features of the pastes according to the terminology suggested by Maggetti (1991); and X-ray powder diffraction analyses, to identify the micro- and crypto-mineralogical phases and determine the firing temperature of the samples