Roberta Masella - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Roberta Masella

Nutrients

MaestraNatura (MN) is a nutrition education program developed to both enhance awareness about the... more MaestraNatura (MN) is a nutrition education program developed to both enhance awareness about the importance of healthy eating behaviour and skills on food and nutrition in primary school students. The level of knowledge about food and nutritional issues was assessed by a questionnaire administered to 256 students (9–10 years old) attending the last class of primary school and was compared with that of a control group of 98 students frequenting the same schools that received traditional nutrition education based on curricular science lessons and one frontal lesson conducted by an expert nutritionist. The results indicated that students in the MN program showed a higher percentage of correct responses to the questionnaire when compared with the control group (76 ± 15.4 vs. 59 ± 17.7; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the students attending the MN program were requested to organise a weekly menu before (T0) and when finished (T1) the MN program. The results evidenced an overall significant ...

Dietary supplements are needed when nutritional requirements cannot be met through diet alone. Th... more Dietary supplements are needed when nutritional requirements cannot be met through diet alone. The consumption of supplements is generally recommended in the more vulnerable population groups, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant or lactating women. In the general population, by following a diet as close as possible to that recommended by the guidelines it is possible to easily cover the nutritional needs of the body. Therefore, rather than thinking about gender-specific food supplements, we should promote more the adoption of a balanced diet for both sexes. Data on the use of supplements based on gender differences are not very consistent yet.

International Journal of Obesity, 2021

Excess hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation (steatosis) commonly observed in obesity, may lead ... more Excess hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation (steatosis) commonly observed in obesity, may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Altered regulation of intracellular lipid droplets (LD) and TG metabolism, as well as activation of JNK-mediated proinflammatory pathways may trigger liver steatosis-related disorders. Drosophila melanogaster is an animal model used for studying obesity and its associated disorders. In Drosophila, lipids and glycogen are stored in the fat body (FB), which resembles mammalian adipose tissue and liver. Dietary oversupply leads to obesity-related disorders, which are characterized by FB dysfunction. Infusions of Lampaya medicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) are used in folk medicine of Chile to counteract inflammatory diseases. Hydroethanolic extract of lampaya (HEL) contains considerable amounts of flavonoids that may explain its anti-inflammatory effect. We studied whether HEL affects palmitic acid (PA, C16:0) and oleic acid (OA; C18:1)-induced TG accumulation and proinflammatory marker content in HepG2 hepatocytes as well as impaired lipid storage and proinflammatory molecule expression in Drosophila melanogaster fed a high-fat diet (HFD). In HepG2 hepatocytes, exposure to OA/PA elevated TG content, FABP4, ATGL and DGAT2 expression, and the JNK proinflammatory pathway, as well as TNF-α and IL-6 production, while diminished FAS expression. These effects were prevented by HEL co-treatment. In Drosophila larvae fed a HFD, HEL prevented TG accumulation and downregulated proinflammatory JNK pathway activation. HEL effect counteracting OA/PA- and HFD-induced lipid accumulation and proinflammatory marker expression in HepG2 hepatocytes and Drosophila larvae may represent a preventive approach against hepatic steatosis and inflammation, associated to obesity and NAFLD.

Acta Diabetologica, 2019

Aims Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that is first diagnose... more Aims Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Maternal adipose tissue and fetal membranes secrete various molecules that are relevant players in the pathogenesis of GDM. This pilot study aimed to examine whether the expression of the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and its receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its receptors (VPAC-1,-2) were modified in pregnant women with GDM. Methods Fetal membranes (FMs), omental adipose tissue (VAT) explants, and serum samples were obtained from 12 women with GDM and 12 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at delivery. The expression of HMGB1, RAGE and VIP, VPAC-1,-2 was detected by Western Blotting in explants; circulating levels and "in vitro" release of HMGB1 and VIP were measured by ELISA tests. Results HMGB1 tissue expression was higher in FMs obtained from GDM women (p = 0.02) than in FMs from NGT women. VPAC2 (p = 0.03) and RAGE (p = 0.03) tissue expressions were significantly increased in VAT from GDM subjects. Only FMs of NGT released detectable levels of HMGB1, which was not observed in samples obtained from GDM. VAT of GDM released lower levels of VIP (p = 0.05) than NGT samples. Conclusions This study indicates that a fine tuned regulation exists between FMs and VAT throughout pregnancy to maintain immune metabolic homeostasis. In GDM a balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators has been observed. Further studies are needed to establish their exact role on fetal and maternal outcomes in GDM.

Problems of Endocrinology, 2016

Adipocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations exhibit impaired insulin signaling. Binding of ... more Adipocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations exhibit impaired insulin signaling. Binding of insulin to its membrane receptor activates insulin metabolic pathway leading to IRS-1 and AKT phosphorylations. The accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) correlates with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Anthocyanins (ACN) are bioactive food compounds of great nutritional interest. We have shown that protocatechuic acid (PCA), a major metabolite of ACN, might exert insulin-sensitizer activities in human visceral adipose tissue. The aim of this work was to define the protective role of PCA against insulin-resistance induced by high glucose in VAT.Methodology: VAT obtained from control subject (BMI≤25) were separated in four experimental groups: i) PCA: samples treated for 24 h with 100 μM PCA, ii) GLU: VAT treated with 30 mM glucose for 24 h, iii) PCA+GLU: 1 hour incubation with 100 μM PCA before adding glucose (30 mM, 24 h), iv) CTR: vehicle. After treatment, VAT groups ...

Clinical Management Issues, 2017

Nutrients, 2022

Curcumin is a pleiotropic compound found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric) [...]

Biomedicines, 2021

In the era of personalized medicine, fetal sex-specific research is of utmost importance for comp... more In the era of personalized medicine, fetal sex-specific research is of utmost importance for comprehending the mechanisms governing pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. In recent times, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have gained increasing attention as critical players in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis, and as candidate biomarkers in human diseases as well. Different types of ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), participate in every step of pregnancy progression, although studies taking into consideration fetal sex as a central variable are still limited. To date, most of the available data have been obtained investigating sex-specific placental miRNA expression. Several studies revealed that miRNAs regulate the (patho)-physiological processes in a sexually dimorphic manner, ensuring normal fetal development, successful pregnancy, and susceptibility to diseases. Moreover, the o...

Pathology, 2020

Abstract Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is universally recognized as a symbol of the Mediterranean... more Abstract Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is universally recognized as a symbol of the Mediterranean diet and its effects on human health have been largely demonstrated by relevant intervention studies. EVOO has been shown to be one of the main resources against chronic noncommunicable diseases most likely because of its antioxidant activity. Merit of these properties is given by its peculiar composition, first of all its polyphenol content, that may contribute to counteract oxidative stress, which often accompanies chronic diseases. The biological activity of EVOO polyphenols is strongly correlated to their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties since they might be able to reduce the pool of reactive oxygen species by acting as chain breakers, radical scavengers, and metal chelators, and to counteract the inflammatory processes associated with the onset and progression of several pathological conditions. EVOO is, thus, increasingly recognized as an important component of a healthy diet.

The Journal of …, 1999

Experimental and clinical evidence suggest that oxidative stress causes cellular damage, leading ... more Experimental and clinical evidence suggest that oxidative stress causes cellular damage, leading to functional alterations of the tissue. Free radicals may thus play an important role in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases. Among pro-oxidant agents, oxidized LDL lead to the production of cytotoxic reactive species, e.g., lipoperoxides, causing tissue injury and various subsequent pathologies including intestinal diseases. Thus, to analyze the oxidative damage induced by oxidized LDL to intestinal mucosa, we evaluated morphological and functional changes induced in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2. In addition, we examined the protective effects exerted by tyrosol, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol, the major phenolic compound present in olive oil. Caco-2 cell treatment (24 and/or 48 h) with oxidized LDL (0.2 g/L) resulted in cytostatic and cytotoxic effects characterized by a series of morphological and functional alterations: membrane damage, modifications of cytoskeleton network, microtubular disorganization, loss of cell-cell and cell-substrate contacts, cell detachment and cell death. The oxidized LDL-induced alterations in Caco-2 cells were almost completely prevented by tyrosol which was added 2 h before and present during the treatments. Our results suggest that some biophenols, such as those contained in olive oil, may counteract the reactive oxygen metabolite-mediated cellular damage and related diseases, by improving in vivo antioxidant defenses.

MaestraNatura is an innovative nutrition education program aimed at both enhancing awareness abou... more MaestraNatura is an innovative nutrition education program aimed at both enhancing awareness about the importance of a healthy food–lifestyle relationship and the ability to transfer the theoretical principles of nutrition guidelines to everyday life. The educational contents of the program resulted from the analysis of the answers to a questionnaire submitted to students aged 6–13 in order to assess their degree of knowledge about nutritional facts. Educational paths were specifically designed and implemented to address the main knowledge gaps identified through the analysis of the answers and were then tested for teachers’ satisfaction in a sample of 56 schools in the north, centre, and south of Italy, involving 790 classes, 600 teachers, and 15,800 students. The results showed an approval rating from teachers from 90% to 94%. Said paths were designed for primary (6–10 years old) and first-level secondary (11–13 years old) school students. In addition, in a pilot study carried out...

Journal of chromatography, Jan 16, 1990

A method for determining the molecular species composition of phosphatidylcholine in biological s... more A method for determining the molecular species composition of phosphatidylcholine in biological samples by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with dual-wavelength ultraviolet detection is described. The optimum compromise between analysis time and chromatographic resolution under isocratic and isothermal conditions (0.8 ml/min and 32 degrees C, respectively) was obtained with the mobile phase methanol-ethanol (6:4, v/v) containing 20 mM choline chloride-water-acetonitrile (90:7:3, v/v/v). The problems of quantification at 205 nm, due to large differences in the detector response with the degree of unsaturation, were resolved by using the appropriate calibration factors chosen with the ratio of absorbances at 205 and 215 nm. The proposed procedure gave results in good agreement with fatty acid composition in samples of rat bile, liver, liver mitochondria and microsomes determined by gas-liquid chromatography.

Lipids, 2000

ABSTRACT: On the basis of the results obtained with pilot studies conducted in vitro on human low... more ABSTRACT: On the basis of the results obtained with pilot studies conducted in vitro on human low density lipoprotein (LDL) and on cell cultures (Caco-2), which had indicated the ability of certain molecules present in olive oil to inhibit pro-oxidative processes, an in vivo study ...

Experimental …, 1999

Successful aging, characterized by little or no loss in physiological functions, should be the us... more Successful aging, characterized by little or no loss in physiological functions, should be the usual aging process in centenarians. It is known that well-preserved physiological functions depend on the proper functioning of cell systems. In this article we focus on cell membrane integrity and study the red blood cell membrane to evaluate the effect of physiological aging in centenarians. Fifteen healthy, self-sufficient centenarians, mean age 103 years, were examined by assessing hemocytometric values and some relevant characteristics of the erythrocyte membrane, i.e., the cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio, the distribution of phospholipid classes and their fatty acid composition, the integral and skeletal protein profiles. The centenarians showed a significant decrease in the red blood cell count (p Ͻ 0.0002), hemoglobin (p Ͻ 0.0002), and hematocrit (p Ͻ 0.0005). The red blood cell membrane showed a significantly increased cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio (p Ͻ 0.01), with a concomitant increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine (p Ͻ 0.001) and, to a lesser extent, in phosphatidylethanolamine. The electrophoretic pattern of membrane proteins was qualitatively normal compared to controls but the densitometric analysis showed a significant increase in the integral protein band 4.2 (p Ͻ 0.05) and in the skeletal protein actin (p Ͻ 0.001). Extreme longevity seems to be associated with a substantial integrity of the erythrocyte membrane. Moreover, the evident increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids and in actin are likely to improve the membrane fluidity and to strengthen the membrane structure.

Nutrients

Due to the global increase in lifespan, the proportion of people showing cognitive impairment is ... more Due to the global increase in lifespan, the proportion of people showing cognitive impairment is expected to grow exponentially. As target-specific drugs capable of tackling dementia are lagging behind, the focus of preclinical and clinical research has recently shifted towards natural products. Curcumin, one of the best investigated botanical constituents in the biomedical literature, has been receiving increased interest due to its unique molecular structure, which targets inflammatory and antioxidant pathways. These pathways have been shown to be critical for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and more in general for cognitive decline. Despite the substantial preclinical literature on the potential biomedical effects of curcumin, its relatively low bioavailability, poor water solubility and rapid metabolism/excretion have hampered clinical trials, resulting in mixed and inconclusive findings. In this review, we highlight current knowledge on the potential eff...

Nutrients

Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol, isolated from the plant turmeric of Curcuma longa. Curcuma l... more Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol, isolated from the plant turmeric of Curcuma longa. Curcuma longa has always been used in traditional medicine in Asian countries because it is believed to have numerous health benefits. Nowadays it is widely used as spice component and in emerging nutraceutical food worldwide. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin possesses, among others, potential anti-inflammatory properties. Obesity represents a main risk factor for several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. The establishment of a low-grade chronic inflammation, both systemically and locally in adipose tissue, occurring in obesity most likely represents a main factor in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the onset of the obesity-associated inflammation are different from those involved in the classic inflammatory response caused by infections and involves different signaling pathways. Th...

Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets, 2018

Altered inflammatory response characterizes chronic immunemediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) s... more Altered inflammatory response characterizes chronic immunemediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. Accumulating evidence indicates that regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), the main source of fat in the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic degenerative disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. The beneficial effects on health of EVOO have been attributed, besides to the monounsaturated fats content, to the presence of phenolic compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of EVOO polyphenols on IMID highlighting the potential mechanisms of action. Scientific papers were found by searching in PubMed up to May 2017 using the following key words: rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory...

Current medicinal chemistry, Jan 4, 2017

During the last decades a great bulk of scientific information has been accumulated about the met... more During the last decades a great bulk of scientific information has been accumulated about the metabolic effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that can impact human health. In particular, a growing body of evidence from in vitro, animal, and clinical studies supporting the use of n-3 PUFAs in cancer prevention has been collected. Furthermore, a considerable effort has recently been done to evaluate the hypothesis that n-3 PUFAs might improve the efficiency of currently used anticancer drugs. The role of n-6 PUFAs, in contrast, needs to be better assessed. A high dietary intake of n-6 PUFAs has been found to be associated with an increased risk of various cancer development; however, it should be mentioned that several papers have highlighted beneficial effects of n-6 PUFAs. The effective mechanisms of action of PUFAs have not been fully clarified yet, even if the incorporation of fatty acids in cell membranes has been considered a pivotal event in modulating inflammatory pro...

Nutrients

MaestraNatura (MN) is a nutrition education program developed to both enhance awareness about the... more MaestraNatura (MN) is a nutrition education program developed to both enhance awareness about the importance of healthy eating behaviour and skills on food and nutrition in primary school students. The level of knowledge about food and nutritional issues was assessed by a questionnaire administered to 256 students (9–10 years old) attending the last class of primary school and was compared with that of a control group of 98 students frequenting the same schools that received traditional nutrition education based on curricular science lessons and one frontal lesson conducted by an expert nutritionist. The results indicated that students in the MN program showed a higher percentage of correct responses to the questionnaire when compared with the control group (76 ± 15.4 vs. 59 ± 17.7; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the students attending the MN program were requested to organise a weekly menu before (T0) and when finished (T1) the MN program. The results evidenced an overall significant ...

Dietary supplements are needed when nutritional requirements cannot be met through diet alone. Th... more Dietary supplements are needed when nutritional requirements cannot be met through diet alone. The consumption of supplements is generally recommended in the more vulnerable population groups, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant or lactating women. In the general population, by following a diet as close as possible to that recommended by the guidelines it is possible to easily cover the nutritional needs of the body. Therefore, rather than thinking about gender-specific food supplements, we should promote more the adoption of a balanced diet for both sexes. Data on the use of supplements based on gender differences are not very consistent yet.

International Journal of Obesity, 2021

Excess hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation (steatosis) commonly observed in obesity, may lead ... more Excess hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation (steatosis) commonly observed in obesity, may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Altered regulation of intracellular lipid droplets (LD) and TG metabolism, as well as activation of JNK-mediated proinflammatory pathways may trigger liver steatosis-related disorders. Drosophila melanogaster is an animal model used for studying obesity and its associated disorders. In Drosophila, lipids and glycogen are stored in the fat body (FB), which resembles mammalian adipose tissue and liver. Dietary oversupply leads to obesity-related disorders, which are characterized by FB dysfunction. Infusions of Lampaya medicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) are used in folk medicine of Chile to counteract inflammatory diseases. Hydroethanolic extract of lampaya (HEL) contains considerable amounts of flavonoids that may explain its anti-inflammatory effect. We studied whether HEL affects palmitic acid (PA, C16:0) and oleic acid (OA; C18:1)-induced TG accumulation and proinflammatory marker content in HepG2 hepatocytes as well as impaired lipid storage and proinflammatory molecule expression in Drosophila melanogaster fed a high-fat diet (HFD). In HepG2 hepatocytes, exposure to OA/PA elevated TG content, FABP4, ATGL and DGAT2 expression, and the JNK proinflammatory pathway, as well as TNF-α and IL-6 production, while diminished FAS expression. These effects were prevented by HEL co-treatment. In Drosophila larvae fed a HFD, HEL prevented TG accumulation and downregulated proinflammatory JNK pathway activation. HEL effect counteracting OA/PA- and HFD-induced lipid accumulation and proinflammatory marker expression in HepG2 hepatocytes and Drosophila larvae may represent a preventive approach against hepatic steatosis and inflammation, associated to obesity and NAFLD.

Acta Diabetologica, 2019

Aims Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that is first diagnose... more Aims Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Maternal adipose tissue and fetal membranes secrete various molecules that are relevant players in the pathogenesis of GDM. This pilot study aimed to examine whether the expression of the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and its receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its receptors (VPAC-1,-2) were modified in pregnant women with GDM. Methods Fetal membranes (FMs), omental adipose tissue (VAT) explants, and serum samples were obtained from 12 women with GDM and 12 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at delivery. The expression of HMGB1, RAGE and VIP, VPAC-1,-2 was detected by Western Blotting in explants; circulating levels and "in vitro" release of HMGB1 and VIP were measured by ELISA tests. Results HMGB1 tissue expression was higher in FMs obtained from GDM women (p = 0.02) than in FMs from NGT women. VPAC2 (p = 0.03) and RAGE (p = 0.03) tissue expressions were significantly increased in VAT from GDM subjects. Only FMs of NGT released detectable levels of HMGB1, which was not observed in samples obtained from GDM. VAT of GDM released lower levels of VIP (p = 0.05) than NGT samples. Conclusions This study indicates that a fine tuned regulation exists between FMs and VAT throughout pregnancy to maintain immune metabolic homeostasis. In GDM a balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators has been observed. Further studies are needed to establish their exact role on fetal and maternal outcomes in GDM.

Problems of Endocrinology, 2016

Adipocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations exhibit impaired insulin signaling. Binding of ... more Adipocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations exhibit impaired insulin signaling. Binding of insulin to its membrane receptor activates insulin metabolic pathway leading to IRS-1 and AKT phosphorylations. The accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) correlates with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Anthocyanins (ACN) are bioactive food compounds of great nutritional interest. We have shown that protocatechuic acid (PCA), a major metabolite of ACN, might exert insulin-sensitizer activities in human visceral adipose tissue. The aim of this work was to define the protective role of PCA against insulin-resistance induced by high glucose in VAT.Methodology: VAT obtained from control subject (BMI≤25) were separated in four experimental groups: i) PCA: samples treated for 24 h with 100 μM PCA, ii) GLU: VAT treated with 30 mM glucose for 24 h, iii) PCA+GLU: 1 hour incubation with 100 μM PCA before adding glucose (30 mM, 24 h), iv) CTR: vehicle. After treatment, VAT groups ...

Clinical Management Issues, 2017

Nutrients, 2022

Curcumin is a pleiotropic compound found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric) [...]

Biomedicines, 2021

In the era of personalized medicine, fetal sex-specific research is of utmost importance for comp... more In the era of personalized medicine, fetal sex-specific research is of utmost importance for comprehending the mechanisms governing pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. In recent times, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have gained increasing attention as critical players in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis, and as candidate biomarkers in human diseases as well. Different types of ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), participate in every step of pregnancy progression, although studies taking into consideration fetal sex as a central variable are still limited. To date, most of the available data have been obtained investigating sex-specific placental miRNA expression. Several studies revealed that miRNAs regulate the (patho)-physiological processes in a sexually dimorphic manner, ensuring normal fetal development, successful pregnancy, and susceptibility to diseases. Moreover, the o...

Pathology, 2020

Abstract Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is universally recognized as a symbol of the Mediterranean... more Abstract Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is universally recognized as a symbol of the Mediterranean diet and its effects on human health have been largely demonstrated by relevant intervention studies. EVOO has been shown to be one of the main resources against chronic noncommunicable diseases most likely because of its antioxidant activity. Merit of these properties is given by its peculiar composition, first of all its polyphenol content, that may contribute to counteract oxidative stress, which often accompanies chronic diseases. The biological activity of EVOO polyphenols is strongly correlated to their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties since they might be able to reduce the pool of reactive oxygen species by acting as chain breakers, radical scavengers, and metal chelators, and to counteract the inflammatory processes associated with the onset and progression of several pathological conditions. EVOO is, thus, increasingly recognized as an important component of a healthy diet.

The Journal of …, 1999

Experimental and clinical evidence suggest that oxidative stress causes cellular damage, leading ... more Experimental and clinical evidence suggest that oxidative stress causes cellular damage, leading to functional alterations of the tissue. Free radicals may thus play an important role in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases. Among pro-oxidant agents, oxidized LDL lead to the production of cytotoxic reactive species, e.g., lipoperoxides, causing tissue injury and various subsequent pathologies including intestinal diseases. Thus, to analyze the oxidative damage induced by oxidized LDL to intestinal mucosa, we evaluated morphological and functional changes induced in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2. In addition, we examined the protective effects exerted by tyrosol, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol, the major phenolic compound present in olive oil. Caco-2 cell treatment (24 and/or 48 h) with oxidized LDL (0.2 g/L) resulted in cytostatic and cytotoxic effects characterized by a series of morphological and functional alterations: membrane damage, modifications of cytoskeleton network, microtubular disorganization, loss of cell-cell and cell-substrate contacts, cell detachment and cell death. The oxidized LDL-induced alterations in Caco-2 cells were almost completely prevented by tyrosol which was added 2 h before and present during the treatments. Our results suggest that some biophenols, such as those contained in olive oil, may counteract the reactive oxygen metabolite-mediated cellular damage and related diseases, by improving in vivo antioxidant defenses.

MaestraNatura is an innovative nutrition education program aimed at both enhancing awareness abou... more MaestraNatura is an innovative nutrition education program aimed at both enhancing awareness about the importance of a healthy food–lifestyle relationship and the ability to transfer the theoretical principles of nutrition guidelines to everyday life. The educational contents of the program resulted from the analysis of the answers to a questionnaire submitted to students aged 6–13 in order to assess their degree of knowledge about nutritional facts. Educational paths were specifically designed and implemented to address the main knowledge gaps identified through the analysis of the answers and were then tested for teachers’ satisfaction in a sample of 56 schools in the north, centre, and south of Italy, involving 790 classes, 600 teachers, and 15,800 students. The results showed an approval rating from teachers from 90% to 94%. Said paths were designed for primary (6–10 years old) and first-level secondary (11–13 years old) school students. In addition, in a pilot study carried out...

Journal of chromatography, Jan 16, 1990

A method for determining the molecular species composition of phosphatidylcholine in biological s... more A method for determining the molecular species composition of phosphatidylcholine in biological samples by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with dual-wavelength ultraviolet detection is described. The optimum compromise between analysis time and chromatographic resolution under isocratic and isothermal conditions (0.8 ml/min and 32 degrees C, respectively) was obtained with the mobile phase methanol-ethanol (6:4, v/v) containing 20 mM choline chloride-water-acetonitrile (90:7:3, v/v/v). The problems of quantification at 205 nm, due to large differences in the detector response with the degree of unsaturation, were resolved by using the appropriate calibration factors chosen with the ratio of absorbances at 205 and 215 nm. The proposed procedure gave results in good agreement with fatty acid composition in samples of rat bile, liver, liver mitochondria and microsomes determined by gas-liquid chromatography.

Lipids, 2000

ABSTRACT: On the basis of the results obtained with pilot studies conducted in vitro on human low... more ABSTRACT: On the basis of the results obtained with pilot studies conducted in vitro on human low density lipoprotein (LDL) and on cell cultures (Caco-2), which had indicated the ability of certain molecules present in olive oil to inhibit pro-oxidative processes, an in vivo study ...

Experimental …, 1999

Successful aging, characterized by little or no loss in physiological functions, should be the us... more Successful aging, characterized by little or no loss in physiological functions, should be the usual aging process in centenarians. It is known that well-preserved physiological functions depend on the proper functioning of cell systems. In this article we focus on cell membrane integrity and study the red blood cell membrane to evaluate the effect of physiological aging in centenarians. Fifteen healthy, self-sufficient centenarians, mean age 103 years, were examined by assessing hemocytometric values and some relevant characteristics of the erythrocyte membrane, i.e., the cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio, the distribution of phospholipid classes and their fatty acid composition, the integral and skeletal protein profiles. The centenarians showed a significant decrease in the red blood cell count (p Ͻ 0.0002), hemoglobin (p Ͻ 0.0002), and hematocrit (p Ͻ 0.0005). The red blood cell membrane showed a significantly increased cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio (p Ͻ 0.01), with a concomitant increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine (p Ͻ 0.001) and, to a lesser extent, in phosphatidylethanolamine. The electrophoretic pattern of membrane proteins was qualitatively normal compared to controls but the densitometric analysis showed a significant increase in the integral protein band 4.2 (p Ͻ 0.05) and in the skeletal protein actin (p Ͻ 0.001). Extreme longevity seems to be associated with a substantial integrity of the erythrocyte membrane. Moreover, the evident increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids and in actin are likely to improve the membrane fluidity and to strengthen the membrane structure.

Nutrients

Due to the global increase in lifespan, the proportion of people showing cognitive impairment is ... more Due to the global increase in lifespan, the proportion of people showing cognitive impairment is expected to grow exponentially. As target-specific drugs capable of tackling dementia are lagging behind, the focus of preclinical and clinical research has recently shifted towards natural products. Curcumin, one of the best investigated botanical constituents in the biomedical literature, has been receiving increased interest due to its unique molecular structure, which targets inflammatory and antioxidant pathways. These pathways have been shown to be critical for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and more in general for cognitive decline. Despite the substantial preclinical literature on the potential biomedical effects of curcumin, its relatively low bioavailability, poor water solubility and rapid metabolism/excretion have hampered clinical trials, resulting in mixed and inconclusive findings. In this review, we highlight current knowledge on the potential eff...

Nutrients

Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol, isolated from the plant turmeric of Curcuma longa. Curcuma l... more Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol, isolated from the plant turmeric of Curcuma longa. Curcuma longa has always been used in traditional medicine in Asian countries because it is believed to have numerous health benefits. Nowadays it is widely used as spice component and in emerging nutraceutical food worldwide. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin possesses, among others, potential anti-inflammatory properties. Obesity represents a main risk factor for several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. The establishment of a low-grade chronic inflammation, both systemically and locally in adipose tissue, occurring in obesity most likely represents a main factor in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the onset of the obesity-associated inflammation are different from those involved in the classic inflammatory response caused by infections and involves different signaling pathways. Th...

Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets, 2018

Altered inflammatory response characterizes chronic immunemediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) s... more Altered inflammatory response characterizes chronic immunemediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. Accumulating evidence indicates that regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), the main source of fat in the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic degenerative disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. The beneficial effects on health of EVOO have been attributed, besides to the monounsaturated fats content, to the presence of phenolic compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of EVOO polyphenols on IMID highlighting the potential mechanisms of action. Scientific papers were found by searching in PubMed up to May 2017 using the following key words: rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory...

Current medicinal chemistry, Jan 4, 2017

During the last decades a great bulk of scientific information has been accumulated about the met... more During the last decades a great bulk of scientific information has been accumulated about the metabolic effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that can impact human health. In particular, a growing body of evidence from in vitro, animal, and clinical studies supporting the use of n-3 PUFAs in cancer prevention has been collected. Furthermore, a considerable effort has recently been done to evaluate the hypothesis that n-3 PUFAs might improve the efficiency of currently used anticancer drugs. The role of n-6 PUFAs, in contrast, needs to be better assessed. A high dietary intake of n-6 PUFAs has been found to be associated with an increased risk of various cancer development; however, it should be mentioned that several papers have highlighted beneficial effects of n-6 PUFAs. The effective mechanisms of action of PUFAs have not been fully clarified yet, even if the incorporation of fatty acids in cell membranes has been considered a pivotal event in modulating inflammatory pro...