Posidonia oceanica (L.) delile extract reduces lipid accumulation through autophagy activation in hepg2 cells

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile is a marine plant traditionally used as an herbal medicine for various health disorders. P. oceanica leaf extract (POE) has been shown to be a phytocomplex with cell-safe bioactivities, including the ability to trigger autophagy. Autophagy is a key pathway to counteract non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by controlling the breakdown of lipid droplets in the liver. The aim of this study was to explore the ability of POE to trigger autophagy and reduce lipid accumulation in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells and then verify the possible link between the effect of POE on lipid reduction and autophagy activation. Expression levels of autophagy markers were monitored by the Western blot technique in POE-treated HepG2 cells, whereas the extent of lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells was assessed by Oil red O staining. Chloroquine (CQ), an autophagy inhibitor, was used to study the relationship between POE-induced autophagy and intracellular lipid accumulation. POE was found to stimulate an autophagy flux over time in HepG2 cells by lowering the phosphorylation state of ribosomal protein S6, increasing Beclin-1 and LC3-II levels, and decreasing p62 levels. By blocking autophagy with CQ, the effect of POE on intracellular lipid accumulation was clearly reversed, suggesting that the POE phytocomplex may reduce lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells by activating the autophagic process. This work indicates that P. oceanica may be considered as a promising molecule supplier to discover new natural approaches for the management of NAFLD

Posidonia oceanica (L.) delile dampens cell migration of human neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common cancer in childhood, and lethal in its high-risk form, primarily because of its high metastatic potential. Targeting cancer cell migration, and thus preventing metastasis formation, is the rationale for more effective cancer therapy against NB. Previous studies have described the leaf extract from Posidonia oceanica marine plant (POE) as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent and inhibitor of cancer cell migration. This study aims to examine the POE anti-migratory role in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and the underlying mechanisms of action. Wound healing and gelatin zymography assays showed that POE at early times inhibits cell migration and reduces pro-MMP-2 release into culture medium. By monitoring expression level of key autophagy markers by Western blot assay, a correlation between POE-induced cell migration inhibition and autophagy activation was demonstrated. Cell morphology and immunofluorescence analyses showed that POE induces neurite formation and neuronal differentiation at later times. These results suggest POE might act against cell migration by triggering early nontoxic autophagy. The POE-induced cellular morphological change toward cell differentiation might contribute to prolonging the phytocomplex anti-migratory effect to later times. Overall, these results encourage future in vivo studies to test POE applicability in neuroblastoma treatment

The Occipital Nerves Applied Strain Test to Support Occipital Neuralgia Diagnosis

Introduction: Occipital neuralgia (ON) is a disabling cephalalgia form with demanding diagnostic workflow. We report the description and reliability analyses of the occipital nerves applied strain (ONAS) test for occipital neuralgia (ON) early-stage diagnosis in cephalalgia patients. Methods: In a retrospective and observational study, we evaluated, among n = 163 consecutive cephalalgia patients, the sensitivity, specificity, and prior probability [positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values] of the ONAS test against two reference tests (occipital nerve anesthetic block and the painDETECT questionnaire). Multinomial logistic regression (MLR) and v2 analyses verified the ONAS test outcome’s dependence upon independent variables (gender, age, pain site, block test, and painDETECT outcomes). We assessed inter-rater agreement with Cohen’s kappa statistic. Results: ONAS test showed sensitivity and specificity of 81 and 18%, respectively, against the painDETECT and of 94 and 46%, respectively, against the block test. PPV was >70% against both tests, while NPV was 81% against the block test and 26% against the painDETECT. Interrater agreement Cohen’s kappa was excellent. Significant association (X2 analyses) and relationship (MLR) were found only between ONAS test and pain site but not with the other independent predictors. Conclusions: The ONAS test showed satisfactory reliability among cephalalgia patients; thus, it might be considered a valuable early stage tool for ON diagnosis in these patients.PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY We report the description and reliability features of an occipital neuralgia diagnostic tool. The latter is based on the assertion that applying a strain on putatively compromised occipital nerves prompts abnormal nerve discharges and subjective pain reactions and thus may reveal occipital neuralgia. Among 163 cephalalgia patients, the test showed sensitivity and specificity of 81 and 18%, respectively, against the painDETECT questionnaire and 94 and 46%, respectively, against the occipital nerves’ block test. Interrater agreement was excellent, and significant associations and relationships were found only between the tool and congruent pain site but not with the other independent predictors. This tool may help clinicians’ early detection of occipital neuralgia in cephalalgia patients

Posidonia oceanica (L.) delile dampens cell migration of human neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common cancer in childhood, and lethal in its high-risk form, primarily because of its high metastatic potential. Targeting cancer cell migration, and thus preventing metastasis formation, is the rationale for more effective cancer therapy against NB. Previous studies have described the leaf extract from Posidonia oceanica marine plant (POE) as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent and inhibitor of cancer cell migration. This study aims to examine the POE anti-migratory role in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and the underlying mechanisms of action. Wound healing and gelatin zymography assays showed that POE at early times inhibits cell migration and reduces pro-MMP-2 release into culture medium. By monitoring expression level of key autophagy markers by Western blot assay, a correlation between POE-induced cell migration inhibition and autophagy activation was demonstrated. Cell morphology and immunofluorescence analyses showed that POE induces neurite formation and neuronal differentiation at later times. These results suggest POE might act against cell migration by triggering early nontoxic autophagy. The POE-induced cellular morphological change toward cell differentiation might contribute to prolonging the phytocomplex anti-migratory effect to later times. Overall, these results encourage future in vivo studies to test POE applicability in neuroblastoma treatment

An overview of new insights into the benefits of the seagrass posidonia oceanica for human health

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile is a Mediterranean-endemic angiosperm often described for its great ecological importance. Despite evidence of a millennia-old relationship between P. oceanica and humans, as well as traditional medicine applications, the potential benefits of P. oceanica for human health have been documented only recently. This review aims to compile newly acquired knowledge on P. oceanica bioactive properties that allow the scientific community to look at this plant as a promising source of natural therapeutical products for human health. Experimental investigations conducted in both in vitro cellular-based and in vivo animal models pave the way for new research projects aiming at the development of alternative and complementary therapeutic strategies based on P. oceanica against a wide range of pathological conditions

Scoring system for breakthrough-pain likelihood in cancer patients

Scoring system for breakthrough-pain likelihood in cancer patients Submission No: 2044 Submission Type: Poster Abstract Submission Aim of Investigation: Breakthrough pain (BTP) shows variable prevalence in different clinical contexts of cancer patients. BTP diagnostic tools with demonstrated reliability, validation and prognostic capability are lacking. We report the preliminary results of an ongoing impact study following the development of a diagnostic/prognostic tool, the IQ-BTP, for BTP recognition and its likelihood among cancer patients. Methods: A sample of 120 chronic pain patients was used as a learning set. An univariate analysis was conducted in order to select the variables associated with the variable of interest (likelihood level of BTP); these have been employed in the planning of a Naive Bayes classifier; a set of scores for each predictor was computed, by extending the approach usually used for binary classification to the case of three likelihood classes of BTP (High, Low, None). The developed BTP-likelihood scoring system, under the form of a questionnaire (IQ-BTP), recently validated, is now used in a multicenter impact study. The study was authorized by the hospital Ethics Committee, and conducted according to the Helsinki declaration and IASP's guidelines for pain research in animals and humans. Results: The scoring system analysis showed that two thirds of the patients may be correctly classified as potentially having (or not having) BTP; proportions of correct classification for BTP likelihood classes "High" and "No BTP" was greater than 80%: most of the patients satisfying the criteria for having BTP were correctly recognized. Conclusions: The IQ-BTP with its peculiar scoring system and with adequate feasibility may enable, in cancer patients, the detection of potential-BTP and its likelihood. The latter may have significant relevance to BTP epidemiology and management

SCORING SYSTEM FOR BREAKTHROUGH-PAIN LIKELIHOOD IN CANCER PATIENTS: AN IMPACT STUDY

Session type Topic Cancer and Palliative Care Abstract title SCORING SYSTEM FOR BREAKTHROUGH-PAIN LIKELIHOOD IN CANCER PATIENTS: AN IMPACT STUDY Objectives: Breakthrough Cancer pain (BTcP) shows variable prevalence and challenging management. We report the preliminary results of an impact multicenter study with a novel Scoring System (SS) based on a validated diagnostic/prognostic tool, the IQ-BTP1,2, for BTcP recognition and likelihood (High, Intermediate, Low).\ua0 Methods: The IQ-BTP SS was administered at 3 consecutive visits to n=100 patients. Other studied variables were: demographics, disease related information, pain therapy, Brief Pain Inventory and, physician concordance with and appreciation of the SS. We planned to establish among patients with potential BTcP the proportions of its High, Intermediate and Low likelihood and the feasibility/reliability of the SS. Results: The majority of the patients were correctly classified as potentially having (or not having) BTcP. In Visit #1, 2 and 3, respectively, \u2018potential BTcP\u2019 was found in 40, 43 and 24% of the patients with, respectively, high (48, 33 and 46%), intermediate (38, 51 and 50%) and low (15, 16 and 8%) likelihood. Over 90% of physicians reported that the SS was feasible and very helpful in diagnosing and managing BTcP. Conclusions: The IQ-BTP with its SS and with adequate feasibility enables the detection of potential-BTP and its likelihood. The latter has significant relevance to BTcP epidemiology and management.\ua0 Bibliography\ua0 1. Samolsky Dekel BG et al. Development, validation and psychometric properties of a diagnostic/prognostic tool for breakthrough pain in mixed chronic-pain patients.Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2016 Feb;141:23-9.\ua0 2. Samolsky Dekel BG et al. Development and performance of a diagnostic/prognostic scoring system for breakthrough pain. J Pain Res. 2017 May;31;10:1327-1335.\ua0 Keywords Breakthrough pain\u2028scoring system\u2028likelihood\u2028cancer pain\u2028BTcP\u2028IQ-BTP\u2028Brief Pain Inventor