V. Cardile | Università di Catania (original) (raw)

Papers by V. Cardile

Cell Biology and Toxicology

The aim of this work was to study the in vitro effect of ozone on the 70 kDa family of inducible ... more The aim of this work was to study the in vitro effect of ozone on the 70 kDa family of inducible heat shock proteins (HSPs70). We also performed tests to investigate possible toxic effects of ozone at the different doses employed. In human haematic mononucleated cells ozone at doses up to 20 ~tg/ml had no toxic effects and induced biosynthesis of the HSPs70. Biosynthesis of these proteins was greater at 40 ~tg/ml. In murine macrophages testing with tetrazolium salt (MTT), neutral red, and 2deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose uptake and study of the cell morphology showed a remarkable resistance or no toxic effects at a dose of 100 ~tg/ml also. Melanoma B16 murine cells assayed with the MTT test demonstrated less resistance to the toxic effects of ozone than normal cells. These results provide indications relevant to the problems of ozone therapy

Archives italiennes de biologie, 2003

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not chronic exercise could cause long-term ... more The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not chronic exercise could cause long-term metabolic plasticity in cerebellum. The activity of cytochrome oxidase (COX), coupled to ATP production, reflects long-term plasticity in metabolic capacity. The present study examined whether or not 10 weeks of voluntary exercise would increase COX activity in the cerebellum. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a control or exercise condition. Exercising rats had running wheels attached to their home cages. COX activity was measured using histochemical methods and optical densitometry. Rats in the exercise condition had significantly higher optical density in spinocerebellum (mainly in lobules 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and in the copula), but not in neocerebellar crura I and II.

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2009

In this study we evaluate in vitro antioxidant and chondroprotective effects of a lyophilised hyd... more In this study we evaluate in vitro antioxidant and chondroprotective effects of a lyophilised hydroalcholic extract from Sumac leaves. The extract contains many constituents as flavones, tannins, anthocyanins and organic acids with several known biological effects. The antioxidant activity of extract was assayed employing 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method (DPPH). The antioxidative/chondroprotective effect was evaluated on the production of key molecules released during degenerative osteoarthritis disease (OA) such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and prostaglandins (PGE2) in human chondrocyte cultures, stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β). As result, the extract from Sumac leaves was effective in reducing the stable free radical DPPH, and in vitro was able to contrast the harmful effects of IL-1β. Key words: DPPH, interleukin-1β, chondrocytes, nitric oxide, prostaglandins, glycosamino...

Natural Product Communications, 2010

Genista species (family Leguminosae) show interesting biological properties. In this paper we des... more Genista species (family Leguminosae) show interesting biological properties. In this paper we describe the biological activity of the essential oils extracted from the aerial parts of G. sessilifolia DC. and G. tinctoria L. against M14 human melanoma cells, testing several biochemical parameters, such as cell vitality, cell membrane integrity and genomic DNA fragmentation. In addition, we report for the first time the study of the composition of the essential oil obtained from G. tinctoria. The most abundant components of the oil were carbonylic compounds such as ( E)-β-ionone (9.1%), dihydroactinidiolide (7.3%), nonanal (5.1%) and hexahydrofarnesylacetone (4.3%). The essential oils from aerial parts of both G. sessilifolia and G. tinctoria showed interesting potential anticancer activity, suggesting the presence of active compounds.

Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2003

Perturbation of oxidant/antioxidant cellular balance, induced by cellular metabolism and by exoge... more Perturbation of oxidant/antioxidant cellular balance, induced by cellular metabolism and by exogenous sources, causes deleterious effects to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, leading to a condition named “oxidative stress” that is involved in several diseases, such as cancer, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and neurodegenerative disorders. Among the exogenous agents, both H2O2and hyperthermia have been implicated in oxidative stress promotion linked with the activation of apoptotic or necrotic mechanisms of cell death. The goal of this work was to better understand the involvement of some stress-related proteins in adaptive responses mounted by human fibroblasts versus the oxidative stress differently induced by 42°C hyperthermia or H2O2.The research was developed, switching off inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression through antisense oligonucleotide transfection by studying the possible coregulation in the expression of HSP32 (also named HO-1), HSP70, and iNOS and their ...

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 1993

The cytotoxic activity on tumoral cells of thymopentin (TP5), a synthetic pentapeptide correspond... more The cytotoxic activity on tumoral cells of thymopentin (TP5), a synthetic pentapeptide corresponding to residues 32-36 of thymopoietin, was evaluated after inclusion in multilamellar liposomes. These were made by all neutral (zwitterionic) phospholipids as well as those containing positively (stearylamine, SA) or negatively charged (DPPS) lipids. Vesicles were also prepared containing cholesterol, and were characterized by light scattering dimensional analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of charged species and of the presence of cholesterol on TP5 incorporation was studied. For the different kinds of liposomes, loaded with sodium fluoresceinate, the rate of interaction after incubation with lymphocytes in a normal or tumoral (IM9 lymphoblastoid cells) state was also evaluated. TPS-loaded vesicles were assayed on two lines of tumoral cells (IM9 and K562) to assess the ability of liposomal carriers to potentiate the cell growth inhibitory activity of the drug. SA-containing positive liposomes appeared as the most efficacious, resulting in 87% inhibition on IM9 cells, with an amount of liposomes containing 100 ng of TP5.

Pharmacy and Pharmacology Communications, 2000

We have studied the in-vitro effects of liposomal formulations loaded with three oligopeptides (T... more We have studied the in-vitro effects of liposomal formulations loaded with three oligopeptides (Tp3, Tp4, Tp5), synthetic analogues corresponding to the active site of thymopoietin, on human thymic epithelial cells. The activity of the peptides entrapped in multilamellar vesicles and in stable plurilamellar liposomal vesicles, with or without cholesterol and containing stearylamine or dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine, as positive or negative charge-inducer, was tested. The tetrazolium salt assay was performed as a marker of cell growth. To study the response of thymic epithelial cell cultures to liposome addition-dependent stress, we investigated the changes in the level of heat shock proteins (HSPs70). The results indicated that in-vitro among the peptides tested only Tp4 increased thymic epithelial cell growth. These stimulating effects were improved further when the peptide was entrapped in neutral 1,2-dipalmitoyl-L-a-phosphatidylcholineacholesterol liposomes. Tp4 was also effective in modulating HSP70 protective effects.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2008

Chitosan is a natural polymer whose bioadhesive properties make it a useful material for filming ... more Chitosan is a natural polymer whose bioadhesive properties make it a useful material for filming over and protecting damaged or sensitive mucosae. Much effort has been expended to develop this employ, and new applications are in the offing. The aim of the present study was to optimize the synthesis under sonochemical conditions of water-soluble chitosan tetraalkylammonium salts and to assess the mucoadhesive properties of the resulting water-soluble cationic polyelectrolytes. Aqueous solutions of several tetralkylammonium chitosan derivatives, viz. N-trimethyl-(1), N-diethylmethyl-(2), N-carboxymethyl-(3) and N-[N,N-diethylaminomethyl(diethyldimethylene ammonium) n ]methylchitosan (4) were tested along with the parent biopolymer and its citric acid salt (5), both at neutral and acidic pH. We used a published technique for evaluating in vitro bioadhesion to isolated buccal cells, a mucosal model that can predict bioadhesive behavior in vivo. Derivatives 1 and 4 gave the best results.

International Journal of Oncology, 2012

Currently, there is increasing interest in the in vivo protective effects of natural antioxidants... more Currently, there is increasing interest in the in vivo protective effects of natural antioxidants found in dietary plants against oxidative damage caused by free radical species. Oxidative stress has been invoked as a causative agent in cancer and epidemiological data suggest that the consumption of fruits and vegetables may be associated with a lower incidence of cancer. The fruit of the Olea europaea L. and olive oil contain hundreds of phytochemicals and its extracts have recently been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties, due to the action of oleuropein. In view of these considerations, in this study, we investigated the effects of oleuropein on LNCaP and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines and on BPH-1 non-malignant cells. Oleuropein reduces cell viability and induces thiol group modifications, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, reactive oxygen species, pAkt and heme oxygenase-1. Exposing cell cultures to oleuropein induces an antioxidant effect on BPH-1 cells and a pro-oxidant effect on cancer cells. Our results confirm the beneficial properties of olive oil and oleuropein, suggesting its possible use as an adjuvant agent in the treatment of prostatitis, in order to prevent the transformation of hypertrophic to cancerous cells.

Tissue and Cell, 2013

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a major problem in our society. The development of new treatme... more Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a major problem in our society. The development of new treatment options for OA is limited, because the pathophysiological mechanisms are not clearly understood, especially on the molecular level. Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) is a specific protein channels for water transport; it is expressed in articular chondrocytes, human synovitis, in chondrocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or OA and in chondrocyte-like cells of human intervertebral disc. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of AQP1, through immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry and Western blot, in experimentally induced OA knee menisci. AQP1 was studied in vivo in knee OA menisci from 36 rats that underwent medial or lateral meniscectomy, and in vitro on fibrochondrocytes derived from knee OA menisci rats. OA in rats was experimentally induced and tested by histomorphometric analysis. Histological results demonstrated structural alterations in OA menisci accompanied by a very strong AQP1 immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical staining. The Western blot analysis confirmed a strong expression of AQP1 in OA fibrochondrocytes cells. The results of the present research suggest that an activation of AQP1, induced by the OA process, may represent an endogenous mechanism, which can be used to control the tissue degeneration within OA articular joints.

Phytomedicine, 2001

Celastrus paniculatus L. (Celastraceae) (CP), Picrorhiza kurroa L. (Scrophulariaceae) (PK) and Wi... more Celastrus paniculatus L. (Celastraceae) (CP), Picrorhiza kurroa L. (Scrophulariaceae) (PK) and Withania somnifera L. (Solanaceae) (WS) are Indian medicinal plants having a remarkable reputation, as a factor of health care, among the indigenous medical practitioners. The plants exhibit varying degrees of therapeutic value some of which useful in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction, epilepsy, insomnia, rheumatism, gout, dyspepsia (Chopra et al. 1958).

Phytomedicine, 2006

The present work was aimed at evaluating the in vitro effects of a lyophilized extract of wine (J... more The present work was aimed at evaluating the in vitro effects of a lyophilized extract of wine (JW-E) obtained from Jacquez grapes (Vitis aestivalis-cinereaxVitis vinifera grapes) on the production of key molecules released in inflammatory disease utilising interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) activated chondrocytes. The extract contains large amounts of phenolic components, in particular some flavonoids (flavan-3-ols, also known as catechins) and proanthocyanidins, as hydroxycinnamic acids and anthocyanins, that possess several biological features such as antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects and a "radical scavenger" activity too. In this study, we assayed the effect of JW-E on the production of key molecules released during chronic inflammatory events as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins E(2) (PGE(2)) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human chondrocytes culture, stimulated with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta. The JW-E proved to possess good ability against the harmfull effects of IL-1beta. Our data showed the protective effects of JW-E in cartilage alteration, that appears greater than that elicited by indomethacin, a not steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), commonly employed in joint diseases.

Neurochemical Research, 2005

Formation of nitric oxide by astrocytes has been suggested to contribute, via impairment of mitoc... more Formation of nitric oxide by astrocytes has been suggested to contribute, via impairment of mitochondrial function, to the neurodegenerative process. Mitochondria under oxidative stress are thought to play a key role in various neurodegenerative disorders; therefore protection by antioxidants against oxidative stress to mitochondria may prove to be beneficial in delaying the onset or progression of these diseases. Carnosine has been recently proposed to act as antioxidant in vivo. In the present study, we demonstrate its neuroprotective effect in astrocytes exposed to LPS-and INFc-induced nitrosative stress. Carnosine protected against nitric oxide-induced impairment of mitochondrial function. This effect was associated with decreased formation of oxidatively modified proteins and with decreased up-regulation oxidative stress-responsive genes, such as Hsp32, Hsp70 and mt-SOD. Our results sustain the possibility that carnosine might have anti-ageing effects to brain cells under pathophysiological conditions leading to degenerative damage, such as aging and neurodegenerative disorders.

Life Sciences, 2008

In humans both UV-A and UV-B can cause gene mutations and suppress immunity, which leads to skin ... more In humans both UV-A and UV-B can cause gene mutations and suppress immunity, which leads to skin cancer, including melanoma. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) appears particularly promising as ROS and RNS production by both UV-A and UV-B contributes to inflammation, immunosuppression, gene mutation and carcinogenesis. We evaluated the effect of two lichen compounds, sphaerophorin (depside) and pannarin (depsidone) on pBR322 DNA cleavage induced by hydroxyl radicals (U OH), and by nitric oxide (NO), and their superoxide anion (O 2 −) scavenging capacity. In addition, we investigated the growth inhibitory activity of these compounds against human melanoma cells (M14 cell line). Sphaerophorin and pannarin showed a protective effect on plasmid DNA and exhibited a superoxide dismutase like effect. The data obtained in cell culture show that these lichen metabolites inhibit the growth of melanoma cells, inducing an apoptotic cell death, demonstrated by the fragmentation of genomic DNA (COMET and TUNEL Assays) and by a significant increase of caspase-3 activity, and correlated, at least in part, to the increase of ROS generation, These results confirm the promising biological properties of sphaerophorin and pannarin and encourage further investigations on their molecular mechanisms.

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2006

In recent years, genistein has received considerable attention because epidemiologic studies show... more In recent years, genistein has received considerable attention because epidemiologic studies showed that consumption of soybean-containing diets was associated with a lower incidence of certain human cancers in Asian populations. In vitro studies further showed that such chemopreventive and antineoplastic effects were associated with the antioxidant activity of genistein and inhibitor activities on cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Genistein was shown to arrest the growth of malignant melanoma in vitro and to inhibit ultraviolet (UV) light-induced oxidative DNA damage. Recently, it has been demonstrated that genistin, as other flavonoid glycosides, is partly absorbed without previous cleavage and does not have to be hydrolyzed to be biologically active. Therefore, not only isoflavone aglycons, but also glycosides can be of physiological relevance. In the present study, we evaluated in cell-free systems the effect of genistin and daidzin on pBR322 DNA cleavage induced by hydroxyl radicals, generated from UV photolysis of hydrogen peroxide, and their superoxide anion scavenging capacity. In addition, we investigated the growth inhibitory activity of these isoflavones against human melanoma cell line (M14). Under our experimental conditions, genistin and daidzin showed a protective effect on DNA damage and exhibited a superoxide dismutase-like effect, but only genistin was able to reduce significantly the vitality of M14 cells, confirming the importance of the 5,7-dihydroxy structure in the A ring. These results suggest that also genistin, due to its antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties, contributes to the overall biological activity of soy and could have promising applications in the field of dermatology.

Inflammation, 2004

The in vitro effects on human articular chondrocytes were evaluated for a series of Nbenzo[d]isot... more The in vitro effects on human articular chondrocytes were evaluated for a series of Nbenzo[d]isothiazol-3-yl-amidines, bearing as pharmacophoric moiety the nonacidic isosteric nitrogen analogue of the carboxylic group. The aim was to verify their effectiveness in articular diseases, such as arthritis. Human chondrocytes were treated with IL-1β in the presence of a series of Nbenzo[d]isothiazol-3-yl-amidines at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. After 120 h, the amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the inhibition of metalloproteinases (MMP-3) and prostaglandin (PGE 2) were measured. Nitrite production induced by inflammatory IL-1β on cultured chondrocytes was inhibited by the N-benzo[d]isothiazol-3-yl-amidines tested, in particular by N-benzo[d]isothiazol-3-yl-benzamidine, which was the most active. Concerning the effects on GAGs, all the tested benzisothiazolylamidines, and in particular N-benzo[d]isothiazol-3yl-acetamidine, prevented the depletion of proteoglycan induced by IL-1β. Inhibitory effects of the tested compounds on MMP-3 activity and on PGE 2 production were also observed.

Il Farmaco, 2002

A series of anti-inflammatory agents known as Schiff bases, combining thiazolyl and benzothiazoly... more A series of anti-inflammatory agents known as Schiff bases, combining thiazolyl and benzothiazolyl ring and vanillin moieties in the same molecule, was synthesized and evaluated for screening anti-degenerative activity on nasal pig cartilage cultures treated with interleukin 1beta, (IL-1beta). The amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), released into the culture medium, were detected. The tested Schiff bases decreased, dose-dependently, the NO and PGE2 production and the GAGs release with respect to samples treated with IL-1beta alone, showing a different behavior correlated to their structure. These results suggest that thiazolyl and benzothiazolyl Schiff bases in general, and particularly the Schiff base with bromine and methoxyl group in position three would protect cartilage matrix from degenerative factors induced by IL-1beta.