Dietary administration of Curcumin modifies transcriptional profile of genes involved in inflammatory cascade in horse leukocytes

Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1\u3b2 (IL-1\u3b2) and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-\u3b1) play a key role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Once released, these cytokines are potent stimulators for the de novo production of catabolic enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). Anti-inflammatory agents capable of suppressing the production and catabolic actions of these cytokines may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of OA and a range of other osteoarticular disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic effect of Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a pharmacologically safe phytochemical agent, on males and foals affected by degenerative joint diseases. Curcumin, in the form phytosome (CURCUVET \uae, Indena Spa, Milan, Italy) was administered to animals for fifteen days and gene expression was monitored before the treatment and after four, eight, and fifteen days. In mares, Curcumin inhibited the expression of COX-2, TNF-\u3b1, IL-1\u3b2, IL1RN, and IL6, even if only the downregulation of IL-1\u3b2 and IL1RN were significant. In foals, Curcumin significantly inhibited the expression of COX-2, TNF-\u3b1, IL1RN and significantly increased that of IL6. These results indicate that Curcumin has nutritional potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent for treating osteoarticula

Determination of volatile fractions in raw milk and ripened cheese by means of GC-MS. Results of a survey performed in the marginal area between Italy and Slovenia

The volatile fractions of milk and their evolution in ripened cheese were studied using purge and trap extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Eighteen samples of raw milk and cheese ripened for 70 days were collected in 2 consecutive years from dairy farms located in the border area between Italy and Slovenia. Twenty one volatile compounds not detected in the fresh milk used for cheese manufacturing, belonging mainly to the class of esters and alcohols, were found, while 8 compounds detected in milk were not found in cheese after 70 days of ripening. In cheese the majority of compounds increased significantly, even though the variations differed between the classes of volatile compounds. Concentration of alcohols, in particular ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-pentanol, increased considerably, while the content of ketones and terpenes was characterized by a significant, although small, rise that was largely related to a quantitative variation of only few compounds. Also esters, despite the high number of volatile compounds of new formation, showed a lower increase of concentration than that observed for the alcohols. Concentration of aldehydes, hydrocarbons and sulphur compounds remained unchanged, despite relevant variations involving the individual chemical compounds. Significant differences were also observed between the dairy product of the two countries, mainly for the concentration of volatile compounds belonging to the classes of alcohols, ketones and esters

Determination of volatile compounds in San Daniele ham using headspace GC MS

The volatile fraction of San Daniele hams was evaluated in barrows and gilts belonging to two commercial breeds. A group of 120 pigs, reared under the same conditions, were slaughtered, and the right ham seasoned/cured for 12 months, in accordance with the San Daniele Consortium protocol. At the end of ripening, 16 hams (four of each gender and breed) were selected and analysed for volatile composition, using a dynamic headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DHS\u2013GC\u2013MS) technique. Seventy five compounds belonging to eight different chemical groups were identified in the hams. Alcohols were the most abundant constituents (41.38%) followed by aldehydes (31.53%). The possibility of classifying hams according breed and gender, using volatile compounds as independent variables, was analysed by principal component analysis, alcohols were the most suitable compounds to discriminate hams. Data from a larger number of samples are required to validate the conclusions

Workplace safety management in dairy farms - from risk assessment to design of the workplace (Results of a study performed in Friuli Venezia Giulia region)

The study punctually analyzes the safety management in animal farms considering in particular infrastructural aspects, management of machines and equipment and handling of animals. The research, realized in Friuli Venezia Giulia region during years 2012-2014, allowed to record in detail, through a specific registration protocol, the existing critical issues. Results show a situation still lacking regarding safety: both prevention and protection are aspects poorly understood from farmers. In addition to chronic and structural deficiencies, such as obsolescence of machines, there are some operative weaknesses respect to animal management, animal handling (procedures often incorrect) and absence of escape routes. \ua9 2015 Brigitta Gaspardo et al

Transcriptome modification of white blood cells after dietary administration of curcumin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in osteoarthritic affected dogs

The dietary effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or curcumin on the gene expression of peripheral white blood cells in osteoarthritis (OA) affected dogs was investigated using a 44K oligo microarray. Two groups of OA dogs and one group of healthy dogs (6 dogs each) were clinically evaluated and blood was sampled before (T0) and after 20. days (T20) of dietary administration of NSAID (NSAID group) or curcumin (CURCUMIN group). Differentially expressed genes (P< 0.05) in comparison to the control group were identified with MeV software and were functional annotated and monitored for signaling pathways and candidate biomarkers using the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA). After 20. days of treatment, the differentially expressed transcripts significantly (P< 0.05) decreased from 475 to 173 in NSAID group and from 498 to 141 in CURCUMIN group. Genes involved in " inflammatory response" and in " connective tissue development and function" dramatically decreased at T20. Other genes, included in " cellular movement" , " cellular compromise" and " immune cell trafficking" , were differentially expressed at T0 but not at T20 in both groups. Specific molecular targets of CURCUMIN, not observed for NSAID, were the IkB up regulation in the " TNRF1 signaling pathway" and IL18 down regulation in the " role of cytokines in mediating communication between immune cells" The activity of CURCUMIN was also evidenced from the inhibition of macrophages proliferation (HBEGF), related to a strong down regulation of TNF\u3b1 and to activation of fibrinolysis (SERPINE1). The results would suggest that curcumin offers a complementary antinflammatory support for OA treatment in dogs