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Bonfiglio T, Olivero G, Vergassola M, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Pacini A, Iannuzzi F, Summa M, Bertorelli R, Feligioni M, Ghelardini C, Pittaluga A. Environmental training is beneficial to clinical symptoms and cortical presynaptic defects in mice suffering from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Neuropharmacology 2018; 145:75-86. [PMID: 29402503 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The effect of "prophylactic" environmental stimulation on clinical symptoms and presynaptic defects in mice suffering from the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) at the acute stage of disease (21 ± 1 days post immunization, d.p.i.) was investigated. In EAE mice raised in an enriched environment (EE), the clinical score was reduced when compared to EAE mice raised in standard environment (SE).Concomitantly, gain of weight and increased spontaneous motor activity and curiosity were observed, suggesting increased well-being in mice. Impaired glutamate exocytosis and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in cortical terminals of SE-EAE mice were evident at 21 ± 1 d.p.i.. Differently, the 12 mM KCl-evoked glutamate exocytosis from cortical synaptosomes of EE-EAE mice was comparable to that observed in SE and EE-control mice, but significantly higher than that in SE-EAE mice. Similarly, the 12 mM KCl-evoked cAMP production in EE-EAE mice cortical synaptosomes recovered to the level observed in SE and EE-control mice. MUNC-18 and SNAP25 contents, but not Syntaxin-1a and Synaptotagmin 1 levels, were increased in cortical synaptosomes from EE-EAE mice when compared to SE-EAE mice. Circulating IL-1β was increased in the spinal cord, but not in the cortex, of SE-EAE mice, and it did not recover in EE-EAE mice. Inflammatory infiltrates were reduced in the cortex but not in the spinal cord of EE-EAE mice. Demyelination was observed in the spinal cord; EE significantly diminished it. We conclude that "prophylactic" EE is beneficial to synaptic derangements and preserves glutamate transmission in the cortex of EAE mice. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Neurobiology of Environmental Enrichment".
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bonfiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - G Olivero
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Vergassola
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - L Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Italy
| | - A Pacini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, DMSC, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy
| | - F Iannuzzi
- EBRI-European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - M Summa
- D3. PharmaChemistry Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - R Bertorelli
- D3. PharmaChemistry Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Feligioni
- EBRI-European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy; Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - C Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Neurofarba, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Italy
| | - A Pittaluga
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
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Carbone C, Branchini E, Dolag K, Grossi M, Iannuzzi F, Matarrese S, Moscardini L, Verde L. The properties of the dark matter halo distribution in non-Gaussian scenarios. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2009.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Abstract
Variceal bleeding is one of the most severe complications of portal hypertension related to liver cirrhosis. Primary prophylaxis is considered mandatory in patients with cirrhosis and high-risk oesophageal varices, and once varices have bled, every effort should be made to arrest the haemorrhage and prevent further bleeding episodes. In acute variceal bleeding, vasoactive drugs that lower portal pressure should be started even before endoscopy, and should be maintained for up to 5 days. The choice of vasoactive drug should be made according to local resources. Terlipressin, somatostatin and octreotide can be used; vasopressin plus transdermal nitroglycerin may be used if no other drug is available. In variceal bleeding, antibiotic therapy is also mandatory. In primary and secondary prophylaxis, beta-blockers are the mainstay of therapy. In secondary prophylaxis (but not in primary prophylaxis) these drugs can be combined with organic nitrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dell'Era
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Milano, and Gastroenterology 3 Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation, Via Pace 9, 20122 Milano, Italy
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Iavarone M, Lampertico P, Iannuzzi F, Manenti E, Donato MF, Arosio E, Bertolini F, Primignani M, Sangiovanni A, Colombo M. Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in small hepatocellular carcinoma. J Viral Hepat 2007; 14:133-9. [PMID: 17244253 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2006.00782.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in both development and progression of several epithelial tumours, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Assessment of liver and blood levels of VEGF may provide further insights on angiogenesis in HCC. Tissue mRNA of VEGF-165, VEGF-189 and their receptor KDR was assessed by a semi-quantitative retro-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and expressed as target transcript/beta-actin ratio, in 29 patients with HCC, 26 with cirrhosis and 15 with chronic hepatitis. VEGF-165 was also measured by ELISA in plasma samples obtained from both hepatic and femoral veins in additional 58 patients, including 15 with HCC. The liver expression of mRNA of VEGF-165, VEGF-189 and KDR was higher in HCC than in chronic liver diseases (1.54 +/- 0.89 vs 0.62 +/- 0.47, P < 0.0001; 1.09 +/- 0.65 vs 0.64 +/- 0.54, P = 0.003; 1.30 +/- 1.09 vs 0.69 +/- 0.72, P = 0.014). VEGF-165 was higher in HCC tissue than in extra-tumoural tissues (1.44 +/- 0.31 vs 1.03 +/- 0.21, P = 0.0009) and in the cirrhotic tissue of HCC patients than in HCC-free cirrhosis (1.03 +/- 0.23 vs 0.45 +/- 0.45, P = 0.0002). Tissue VEGF-189 mRNA inversely correlated with tumour size and degree of tumour cell proliferation. The hepatic and femoral vein levels of VEGF-165 protein were significantly higher in HCC patients than in cirrhotic patients (66.7 +/- 57.1 vs 24.2 +/- 16.4 pg/mL, P = 0.0001 and 37.1 +/- 42.2 vs 13.5 +/- 9.6 pg/mL, P = 0.001). There was a gradient of VEGF-165 between hepatic and femoral veins in both HCC and cirrhosis. In conclusion, VEGF appears to be involved in the development of HCC and it could be a predictor of HCC development in patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Iavarone
- AM & A Migliavacca Center for Liver Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, IRCCS Maggiore Hospital Fondazione Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
Prevention of the first variceal haemorrhage should start when the patients have developed medium-sized to large varices. Non-selective beta-blockers and band ligation are equally effective in preventing the first bleeding episode. Rubber band ligation is the first choice for patients with contraindications or intolerance to beta-blockers. Treatment of acute bleeding should aim at controlling bleeding and preventing early rebleeding and complications, especially infections. Combined endoscopic (band ligation or sclerotherapy) and pharmacological treatment with vasoactive drugs can control bleeding in up to 90% of patients. Antibiotic prophylaxis is an integral part of the treatment of acute variceal haemorrhage, and must be started as soon as possible. Emergency transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS) is the standard rescue therapy for patients failing combined endoscopic and pharmacological treatment. All patients who survive a variceal bleed should be treated with beta-blockers or band ligation to prevent rebleeding. All patients in whom bleeding cannot be controlled or who continue to rebleed can be treated with salvage TIPS or, in selected cases, with surgical shunts. Liver transplantation should be considered for patients with severe liver insufficiency in which first-line treatments fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- R de Franchis
- Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Service, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.
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de Franchis R, Dell'Era A, Fabris F, Iannuzzi F, Fazzini L, Sotela JC, Reati R, Primignani M. Medical treatment of portal hypertension. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2004; 67:334-43; discussion 344-5. [PMID: 15727078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Prevention of the first variceal haemorrhage should start when the patients have developed medium sized to large varices. Non-selective beta-blockers are the first-line treatment; band ligation is roughly equivalent to beta-blockers and is the first choice for patients with contraindications or intolerance to beta-blockers. Treatment of acute bleeding should aim at controlling bleeding and preventing early rebleeding and complications, especially infections. Combined endoscopic and pharmacological treatment with vasoactive drugs can control bleeding in up to 90% of patients. All patients who survive a variceal bleed should be treated with beta-blockers or band ligation to prevent rebleeding. All patients in whom bleeding cannot be controlled or who continue to rebleed can be treated with salvage TIPS or, in selected cases, with surgical shunts. Liver transplantation should be considered for patients with severe liver insufficiency in which first-line treatments fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- R de Franchis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.
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Passariello N, Paolisso G, Iannuzzi F, Pizza G, Marrazzo G, Sgambato S, D'Onofrio F. Lack of diabetogenic action of calcitonin in subjects affected by insulinoma. Diabete Metab 1989; 15:88-92. [PMID: 2544469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Calcitonin has been shown to affect calcium handling within cells thus impairing insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in healthy subjects. In the present study we investigate the effects of calcitonin on basal and nutrients-induced plasma glucose and insulin levels variations in healthy subjects (n = 10) and in patients affected by islet cell tumor (n = 6). In healthy subjects calcitonin markedly decreased basal and nutrients-induced plasma insulin levels while in patients with islet cell tumor this calcitonin-mediated effect was lost. So we conclude that the lack of calcitonin effect upon insulin secretion in patients with insulinoma is probably due to the autonomous insulin secretion characterizing islet cell tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Passariello
- Istituto di Medicina Generale, Terapia Medica e Malattie del Metabolismo, University of Naples, Italy
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