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Abstract The proportion of new diagnoses of HIV infection in immigrants residing in Italy raised from 11% in 1992 to 29.7% in 2018. To investigate the HIV clades circulating in this community a retrospective study was performed in 557 HIV-infected immigrants living in 12 Italian cities. Immigrants originated from East-Europe and Central-Asia (11.7%), North Africa and Middle East (7.3%), South and South-East Asia (7.2%), Latin America and the Caribbean (14.4%), and sub-Saharan Africa (59.4%). More than 87% of immigrants were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), although 26.6% of them were viremic. A 22.0% of immigrants had hepatitis (HBV and/or HCV) and/or tuberculosis. HIV phylogenetic analysis on sequences from 192 immigrants showed the presence of clades B (23.4%), G (16.1%), C (10.4%), A1 (9.4%), F1 (5.2%), D (1.6%) and Circulating Recombinant Forms (CRFs) (33.9%). CRF02_AG represented 72.3% of the total CRFs. Clusters between immigrants and Italian natives were also present. Drug resistance mutations to NRTI, NNRTI, and PI drug classes occurred in 29.1% of ART-treated and in 12.9% of ART-naïve individuals. These data highlight the need for tailored public health interventions in immigrants to avoid spreading in Italy of HIV genetic forms and ART-resistant variants, as well as HIV co-morbidities.

Older people living in nursing homes (NHs) are particularly vulnerable in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, due to the high prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities (e.g., dementia). The phenomenon of adverse events (AEs), intended as any harm or injury resulting from medical care or to the failure to provide care, has not yet been investigated in NHs during the pandemic. We performed a national survey on 3,292 NHs, either public or providing services both privately and within the national health system, out of the 3,417 NHs covering the whole Italian territory. An online questionnaire was addressed to the directors of each facility between March 24 and April 27, 2020. The list of NHs was provided by the Dementia Observatory, an online map of Italian services for people with dementia, which was one of the objectives of the implementation of the Italian National Dementia Plan. About 26% of residents in the Italian NHs for older people listed within the Dementia Observatory site had dementia. The objective of our study was to report the frequency of AEs that occurred during the months when SARS-CoV-2 spreading rate was at its highest in the Italian NHs and to identify which conditions and attributes were most associated with the occurrence of AEs by means of multivariate regression logistic analysis. Data are referred to 1,356 NHs that participated in the survey. The overall response rate was 41.2% over a time-period of six weeks (from March 24 to May 5). About one third of the facilities (444 out of 1,334) (33.3%) reported at least 1 adverse event, with a total of 2,000 events. Among the included NHs, having a bed capacity higher than the median of 60 beds (OR=1.57, CI95% 1.17–2.09; p=0.002), an observed increased in the use of psychiatric drugs (OR=1.80, CI95% 1.05–3.07; p=0.032), adopting physical restraint measures (OR=1.97, CI95% 1.47–2.64; p

Introduction Due to the ongoing demographic and epidemiological transitions, estimating the phenomenon of dementia in migrants and minority groups, exploring its characteristics and challenges and implementing dedicated healthcare policies, constitute emerging and urgent matters for Western countries. In the present paper we describe the rationale and design of the ‘Dementia in immigrants and ethnic minorities living in Italy: clinical-epidemiological aspects and public health perspectives” (ImmiDem) project.Methods and analysis Three main aims will be pursued by the ImmiDem project. First, a survey of all Italian dementia services will be conducted with dedicated questionnaires in order to estimate and describe the proportion and characteristics of migrants seeking help for cognitive disturbances. The different clinical approaches for diagnosing dementia and the challenges encountered in the assessment of cognitive functioning and in the provision of care in these groups of individuals will also be investigated. Second, record linkage procedures of data routinely collected in regional Health Information Systems will be conducted in order to identify and monitor migrant individuals with dementia living in the Lazio region. Third, tailored national and local care-coordination pathways and/or good practices dedicated to migrants affected by dementia and cognitive disorders will be identified and promoted.Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Italian National Institute of Health (protocol 10749; 5 April 2018). The project was launched in November 2018 and will end in November 2021. The findings of the project will be disseminated through scientific peer-reviewed journals as well as to the public via the Dementia Observatory website (https://demenze.iss.it).

Abstract Background Despite extensive studies on the neurobiological correlates of traumatic brain injury (TBI), little is known about its molecular determinants on long-term consequences, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods Here, we carried out behavioural studies and an extensive biomolecular analysis, including inflammatory cytokines, gene expression and the combination of LC-HRMS and MALDI-MS Imaging to elucidate the targeted metabolomics and lipidomics spatiotemporal alterations of brains from wild-type and APP-SWE mice, a genetic model of AD, at the presymptomatic stage, subjected to mild TBI. Results We found that brain injury does not affect cognitive performance in APP-SWE mice. However, we detected an increase of key hallmarks of AD, including Aβ1-42 levels and BACE1 expression, in the cortices of traumatized transgenic mice. Moreover, significant changes in the expanded endocannabinoid (eCB) system, or endocannabinoidome (eCBome), occurred, including increased levels of the endocannabinoid 2-AG in APP-SWE mice in both the cortex and hippocampus, and N-acylserotonins, detected for the first time in the brain. The gene expression of enzymes for the biosynthesis and inactivation of eCBs and eCB-like mediators, and some of their main molecular targets, also underwent significant changes. We also identified the formation of heteromers between cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and serotonergic 2A (5HT2A) receptors, whose levels increased in the cortex of APP-SWE mTBI mice, possibly contributing to the exacerbated pathophysiology of AD induced by the trauma. Conclusions Mild TBI induces biochemical changes in AD genetically predisposed mice and the eCBome may play a role in the pathogenetic link between brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders also by interacting with the serotonergic system.

Abstract Background Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is essential towards the improvement of prognosis and patient survival. Circulating markers such as α-fetoprotein (AFP) and micro-RNAs represent useful tools but still have limitations. Identifying new markers can be fundamental to improve both diagnosis and prognosis. In this approach, we harness the potential of metabolomics and lipidomics to uncover potential signatures of HCC. Methods A combined untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics plasma profiling of 102 HCV-positive patients was performed by HILIC and RP-UHPLC coupled to Mass Spectrometry. Biochemical parameters of liver function (AST, ALT, GGT) and liver cancer biomarkers (AFP, CA19.9 e CEA) were evaluated by standard assays. Results HCC was characterized by an elevation of short and long-chain acylcarnitines, asymmetric dimethylarginine, methylguanine, isoleucylproline and a global reduction of lysophosphatidylcholines. A supervised PLS-DA model showed that the predictive accuracy for HCC class of metabolomics and lipidomics was superior to AFP for the test set (100.00% and 94.40% vs 55.00%). Additionally, the model was applied to HCC patients with AFP values

Abstract Many studies have explored the extraction of bioactive compounds from different onion solid wastes, such as bulb, skin, and peel. However, onion leaves have received limited attention despite their potential as a valuable source of nutraceutical compounds. This study aimed to valorise, for the first time, the agricultural waste in the form of spring onion leaves (CN, Cipollotto Nocerino) to obtain antioxidant-rich polyphenolic extracts. A Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to assess the impact of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) variables (temperature, time, extraction volume, and ethanol concentration) on total polyphenol content (TPC) measured by Folin–Ciocalteu method and the antioxidant power determined by FRAP assay. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied, and regression equations, analysis of variance, and 3D response curves were developed. Our results highlighted that the TPC values range from 0.76 to 1.43 mg GAE g−1 dw, while the FRAP values range from 8.25 to 14.80 mmol Fe(II)E g−1 dw. The optimal extraction conditions predicted by the model were 60 °C, 22 min, ethanol concentration 51% (v/v), and solvent volume 11 mL. These conditions resulted in TPC and FRAP values of 1.35 mg GAE g−1 dw and 14.02 mmol Fe(II)E g−1 dw, respectively. Furthermore, the extract obtained under optimized conditions was characterized by UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS analysis. LC/MS–MS platform allowed us to tentatively identify various compounds belonging to the class of flavonoids, saponins, fatty acids, and lipids. Finally, the ability of CN optimal extract to inhibit the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) release in a hepatocarcinoma cell line using an H2O2-induced oxidative stress model, was evaluated. The results highlighted the potential of CN extract as a valuable source of polyphenols with significant antioxidant properties, suitable for various applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Abstract N-oleoylglycine (OlGly), a lipid derived from the basic component of olive oil, oleic acid, and N-oleoylalanine (OlAla) are endocannabinoid-like mediators. We report that OlGly and OlAla, by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), reduce the rewarding properties of a highly palatable food, dopamine neuron firing in the ventral tegmental area, and the obesogenic effect of a high-fat diet rich in lard (HFD-L). An isocaloric olive oil HFD (HFD-O) reduced body weight gain compared to the HFD-L, in a manner reversed by PPARα antagonism, and enhanced brain and intestinal OlGly levels and gut microbial diversity. OlGly or OlAla treatment of HFD-L mice resulted in gut microbiota taxonomic changes partly similar to those induced by HFD-O. We suggest that OlGly and OlAla control body weight by counteracting highly palatable food overconsumption, and possibly rebalancing the gut microbiota, and provide a potential new mechanism of action for the obeso-preventive effects of olive oil-rich diets.

Abstract Background Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors constitute the gold standard treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Among them, empagliflozin (EMPA) has shown beneficial effects against heart failure. Because cardiovascular diseases (mainly diabetic cardiomyopathy) are the leading cause of death in diabetic patients, the use of EMPA could be, simultaneously, cardioprotective and antidiabetic, reducing the risk of death from cardiovascular causes and decreasing the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in T2DM patients. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that EMPA has positive benefits for people with and without diabetes. This finding broadens the scope of EMPA function beyond glucose regulation alone to include a more intricate metabolic process that is, in part, still unknown. Similarly, this significantly increases the number of people with heart diseases who may be eligible for EMPA treatment. Methods This study aimed to clarify the metabolic effect of EMPA on the human myocardial cell model by using orthogonal metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics approaches. The untargeted and multivariate analysis mimicked the fasting blood sugar level of T2DM patients (hyperglycemia: HG) and in the average blood sugar range (normal glucose: NG), with and without the addition of EMPA. Results Results highlighted that EMPA was able to modulate and partially restore the levels of multiple metabolites associated with cellular stress, which were dysregulated in the HG conditions, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide, glucose-6-phosphate, lactic acid, FA 22:6 as well as nucleotide sugars and purine/pyrimidines. Additionally, EMPA regulated the levels of several lipid sub-classes, in particular dihydroceramide and triacylglycerols, which tend to accumulate in HG conditions resulting in lipotoxicity. Finally, EMPA counteracted the dysregulation of endoplasmic reticulum-derived proteins involved in cellular stress management. Conclusions These results could suggest an effect of EMPA on different metabolic routes, tending to rescue cardiomyocyte metabolic status towards a healthy phenotype. Graphical Abstract

Lycium barbarum, commonly recognized as goji berry or wolfberry, is highly appreciated not only for its organoleptic and nutritional properties but also as an important source of bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, carotenoids, phenolics, and various other non-nutritive compounds. These constituents give it a multitude of health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, the precise biochemical mechanisms responsible for its anticancer effects remain unclear, and the comprehensive composition of goji berry extracts is often insufficiently explored. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical pathways modulated in breast cancer cells by an ethanolic extract of Lycium barbarum fruit (LBE). Following metabolomic profiling using UHPLC-HRMS/MS, we assessed the antitumoral properties of LBE on different breast cancer cell lines. This investigation revealed that LBE exhibited cytotoxic effects, inducing a pro-oxidant effect that triggered pyroptosis activation through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and subsequent activation of the P-IRE1α/XBP1/NLRP3 axis in MCF-7 cells. In addition, LBE did not display cytotoxicity toward healthy human cells but demonstrated antioxidant properties by neutralizing ROS generated by doxorubicin. These findings underscore the potential of LBE as a highly promising natural extract in cancer therapy.

Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system. EDC exposure may contribute to the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases by impacting the composition of an infant’s gut microbiota during the first 1000 days of life. To explore the relationship between maternal urinary levels of Bisphenol-A and phthalates (UHPLC-MS/MS), and the composition of the infant gut microbiota (16S rDNA) at age 12 months (T3) and, retrospectively, at birth (T0), 1 month (T1), and 6 months (T2), stool samples from 20 infants breastfed at least once a day were analyzed. Metataxonomic bacteria relative abundances were correlated with EDC values. Based on median Bisphenol-A levels, infants were assigned to the over-exposed group (O, n = 8) and the low-exposed group (B, n = 12). The B-group exhibited higher gut colonization of the Ruminococcus torques group genus and the O-group showed higher abundances of Erysipelatoclostridium and Bifidobacterium breve. Additionally, infants were stratified as high-risk (HR, n = 12) or low-risk (LR, n = 8) exposure to phthalates, based on the presence of at least three phthalates with concentrations exceeding the cohort median values; no differences were observed in gut microbiota composition. A retrospective analysis of gut microbiota (T0–T2) revealed a disparity in β-diversity between the O-group and the B-group. Considering T0–T3, the Linear Discriminant Effect Size indicated differences in certain microbes between the O-group vs. the B-group and the HR-group vs. the LR-group. Our findings support the potential role of microbial communities as biomarkers for high EDC exposure levels. Nevertheless, further investigations are required to deeply investigate this issue.

Summary: Skeletal muscle (SM) pain and fatigue are common in Fabry disease (FD). Here, we undertook the investigation of the energetic mechanisms related to FD-SM phenotype. A reduced tolerance to aerobic activity and lactate accumulation occurred in FD-mice and patients. Accordingly, in murine FD-SM we detected an increase in fast/glycolytic fibers, mirrored by glycolysis upregulation. In FD-patients, we confirmed a high glycolytic rate and the underutilization of lipids as fuel. In the quest for a tentative mechanism, we found HIF-1 upregulated in FD-mice and patients. This finding goes with miR-17 upregulation that is responsible for metabolic remodeling and HIF-1 accumulation. Accordingly, miR-17 antagomir inhibited HIF-1 accumulation, reverting the metabolic-remodeling in FD-cells. Our findings unveil a Warburg effect in FD, an anaerobic-glycolytic switch under normoxia induced by miR-17-mediated HIF-1 upregulation. Exercise-intolerance, blood-lactate increase, and the underlying miR-17/HIF-1 pathway may become useful therapeutic targets and diagnostic/monitoring tools in FD.

We here investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of a polymethoxylated flavone-containing fraction (PMFF) from Citrus sinensis and of a prenylflavonoid-containing one (PFF) from Humulus lupulus, either alone or in combination (MIX). To this end, an in vitro model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), consisting of differentiated, interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells, was employed. We demonstrated that non-cytotoxic concentrations of either PMFF or PFF or MIX reduced nitric oxide (NO) production while PFF and MIX, but not PMFF, also inhibited prostaglandin E2 release. Coherently, MIX suppressed both inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 over-expression besides NF-κB activation. Moreover, MIX increased nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation, heme oxygenase-1 expression, restoring GSH and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONs) levels. Remarkably, these effects with MIX were stronger than those produced by PMFF or PFF alone. Noteworthy, nobiletin (NOB) and xanthohumol (XTM), two of the most represented phytochemicals in PMFF and PFF, respectively, synergistically inhibited RONs production. Overall, our results demonstrate that MIX enhances the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of the individual fractions in a model of IBD, via a mechanism involving modulation of NF-κB and Nrf2 signalling. Synergistic interactions between NOB and XTM emerge as a relevant aspect underlying this evidence.

In this study we explore the potential of combining traditional zooarchaeological determination and proteomic identification of morphologically non-diagnostic bone fragments (ZooMS) collected from the Uluzzian levels of three Italian sites: Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave, and Riparo del Broion. Moreover, we obtained glutamine deamidation ratios for all the contexts analysed during routine ZooMS screening of faunal samples, giving information on collagen preservation. We designed a selection protocol that maximizes the efficiency of the proteomics analyses by excluding particularly compromised fragments (e.g. from taphonomic processes), and that aims to identify new human fragments by favouring bones showing morphological traits more similar to Homo. ZooMS consistently provided taxonomic information in agreement with the faunal spectra outlined by traditional zooarchaeology. Our approach allows us to delineate and appreciate differences between the analysed contexts, particularly between the northern and southern sites, related to faunal, environmental, and climate composition, although no human remains were identified. We reconstructed the faunal assemblage of the different sites, giving voice to morphologically undiagnostic bone fragments. Thus, the combination of these analyses provides a more complete picture of the faunal assemblage and of the paleoenvironment during the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in Italy.

In this study we explore the potential of combining traditional zooarchaeological determination and proteomic identification of morphologically non-diagnostic bone fragments (ZooMS) collected from the Uluzzian levels of three Italian sites: Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, Roccia San Sebastiano cave, and Riparo del Broion. Moreover, we obtained glutamine deamidation ratios for all the contexts analysed during routine ZooMS screening of faunal samples, giving information on collagen preservation. We designed a selection protocol that maximizes the efficiency of the proteomics analyses by excluding particularly compromised fragments (e.g. from taphonomic processes), and that aims to identify new human fragments by favouring bones showing morphological traits more similar to Homo. ZooMS consistently provided taxonomic information in agreement with the faunal spectra outlined by traditional zooarchaeology. Our approach allows us to delineate and appreciate differences between the analysed contexts, particularly between the northern and southern sites, related to faunal, environmental, and climate composition, although no human remains were identified. We reconstructed the faunal assemblage of the different sites, giving voice to morphologically undiagnostic bone fragments. Thus, the combination of these analyses provides a more complete picture of the faunal assemblage and of the paleoenvironment during the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition in Italy.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative pathology of the upper or lower motor neuron. Evaluation of ALS progression is based on clinical outcomes considering the impairment of body sites. ALS has been extensively investigated in the pathogenetic mechanisms and the clinical profile; however, no molecular biomarkers are used as diagnostic criteria to establish the ALS pathological staging. Using the source-reconstructed magnetoencephalography (MEG) approach, we demonstrated that global brain hyperconnectivity is associated with early and advanced clinical ALS stages. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) spectroscopy, here we studied the metabolomic profile of ALS patients’ sera characterized by different stages of disease progression—namely early and advanced. Multivariate statistical analysis of the data integrated with the network analysis indicates that metabolites related to energy deficit, abnormal concentrations of neurotoxic metabolites and metabolites related to neurotransmitter production are pathognomonic of ALS in the advanced stage. Furthermore, analysis of the lipidomic profile indicates that advanced ALS patients report significant alteration of phosphocholine (PCs), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPCs), and sphingomyelin (SMs) metabolism, consistent with the exigency of lipid remodeling to repair advanced neuronal degeneration and inflammation.

Salivary gland tumors are relatively uncommon neoplasms that represent less than 5% of head and neck tumors, and about 90% are in the parotid gland. The wide variety of histologies and tumor characteristics makes diagnosis and treatment challenging. In the present study, Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) was used to discriminate the pathological regions of patient-derived biopsies of parotid neoplasms by metabolomic and lipidomic profiles. Fresh frozen parotid tissues were analyzed by MALDI time-of-flight (TOF) MSI, both in positive and negative ionization modes, and additional MALDI-Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) MSI was carried out for metabolite annotation. MALDI-TOF-MSI spatial segmentation maps with different molecular signatures were compared with the histologic annotation. To maximize the information related to specific alterations between the pathological and healthy tissues, unsupervised (principal component analysis, PCA) and supervised (partial least squares-discriminant analysis, PLS-DA) multivariate analyses were performed presenting a 95.00% accuracy in cross-validation. Glycerophospholipids significantly increased in tumor tissues, while sphingomyelins and triacylglycerols, key players in the signaling pathway and energy production, were sensibly reduced. In addition, a significant increase of amino acids and nucleotide intermediates, consistent with the bioenergetics request of tumor cells, was observed. These results underline the potential of MALDI-MSI as a complementary diagnostic tool to improve the specificity of diagnosis and monitoring of pharmacological therapies.

Insoluble bound polyphenols (ISBP) are polyphenolic compounds linked to the food matrix with different interactions limiting both their water extractability and consequent bioaccessibility. The health-promoting potential of polyphenols is historically known and well-demonstrated; specifically, Annurca apple polyphenols were studied both in vitro and in vivo for their effect in controlling cholesterol plasma levels. The aim of the study was the preparation of nutraceutical products based on Annurca apple polyphenolic fraction through the application of a technological process (acid treatment) able to release the ISBP from Annurca apple food matrix and increase polyphenol bioaccessibility. Lyophilized annurca apple (LAA) underwent acid treatment (ATLAA), and differences in released polyphenol levels were analysed by DAD-HPLC. Free-polyphenol levels in samples treated under acid conditions were higher than in untreated ones; in particular, for oligomeric flavan-3-ols (+168% procyanidin B2, +42.97% procyanidin B1 and B2, +156.99% procyanidin C1), catechin (+512.20%), and gallic acid (+707.77%). Furthermore, ATLAA underwent an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to evaluate the bioaccessibility of contained polyphenols, in comparison to the untreated Annurca apple. The bioaccessibility study indicates a valuable preservation of polyphenolic fraction compared to the control.

Humulus lupulus (Hop) contains numerous metabolites with anticancer potential. Despite this, their immunomodulatory activity, and in particular of bitter acids, is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that a Hop pellet extract fraction containing bitter acids possesses immunomodulatory activity by enhancing Natural Killer (NK) cells function. After fractionation by semi-preparative Liquid Chromatography, three different fractions were obtained. The phytocomplex and the fractions were tested to verify the ability to modulate the NK compartment. Cytofluorimetric analysis revealed that a fraction containing bitter acids was able to up-regulate of NKG2D and NKp44 activating receptors. A further simplification yield a fraction mainly composed by Humulinones and Cohulupone derivatives, that at the concentration of 0.1 µg/mL induced selective activation of Nkp44 receptor and enhanced the cytolytic activity of NK cells against leukemia cell line K562. Those results point out the possible use of Hop bitter acids as natural immunostimulants and adjuvants in chemotherapy protocols.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) play a pivotal role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Different noxious agents, among them also anticancer therapies, can impair intestinal epithelial integrity triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. A frequent complication of chemotherapy is gastrointestinal mucositis, strongly influencing the effectiveness of therapy, increasing healthcare costs, and impairing patients’ quality of life. Different strategies are used to treat gastrointestinal mucositis, including products from natural sources. Our study focused on the effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice extract on IEC-6 cells, both during inflammatory conditions and following treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The polyphenolic profile of pomegranate juice was characterized in detail by Online Comprehensive two dimensional Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The evaluation of pomegranate juice extract in IEC-6 indicates a significant inhibition in proinflammatory factors, such as cytokines release, cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and nitrotyrosine formation. Pomegranate also inhibited oxidative stress and adhesion protein expression. In 5-FU-treated IEC-6, pomegranate also inhibited both inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters and apoptosis. It promoted wound repair and tight junction expression. These results suggest a potential use of pomegranate as an adjuvant in the treatment of intestinal inflammatory and oxidative stress states, which also occur during chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

The interest towards nutraceuticals able to counteract drug side effects is continuously growing in current chemotherapeutic protocols. In the present study, we demonstrated that smoothies containing mixtures of Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera L. cv. Aglianico N, two typical fruits of the Mediterranean diet, possess bioactive polyphenols that protect cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress. The polyphenolic extracts isolated from Citrus sinensis- and Vitis vinifera-based functional smoothies were deeply characterized by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry methods. Subsequently, the functional smoothies and relative mixtures were tested to verify their ability to affect cellular viability and oxidative stress parameters in embryonic cardiomyocyte cells (H9c2), and human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) exposed to doxorubicin. Interestingly, we found that the mix resulting from Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera association in ratio 1:1 was able to reduce cardiomyocytes damage induced by anthracyclines, without significantly interfering with the pro-apoptotic activity of the drug on breast cancer cells. These results point out the potential use of vegetable smoothies as adjuvants functional foods for chemotherapeutic anticancer protocols.

Liver diseases affect millions of people worldwide. In most of the cases, severe hepatic dysfunction and liver cancer stem from mild and common clinical signs including hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, liver inflammation, and oxidative stress, all together referred to as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Nutraceuticals endowed with antioxidant activity have been shown to reduce NAFLD risk factors and exert hepatoprotective effects. Here, we test the protective effect exerted on liver by the antioxidant Taurisolo, a nutraceutical formulation produced by grape pomace and enriched in Resveratrol and Polyphenols. We analyze the effect of Taurisolo on liver cells by profiling the metabolome of in vitro cultured hepatic HuH7 cells and of C57BL-6J mice fed a High Fat Diet and treated with the nutraceutical. Both in vitro and in vivo, we provide evidence that Taurisolo reduces risk factor markers associated with NAFLD. Taurisolo stimulates glucose uptake and reduces hepatic cholesterol and serum triglycerides. Furthermore, we give new insights into the mechanism of action of Taurisolo. The nutraceutical increases mitochondrial activity and promotes respiration and ATP production, fostering catabolic reactions like fatty acid β-oxidation and amino acid catabolism. On the contrary, Taurisolo reduces anabolic reactions like biosynthesis of cholesterol, bile acids, and plasma membrane lipids.

In this work, two online comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography platforms, namely Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography × Reversed phase (HILIC × RP) and Reversed phase × Reversed Phase (RP × RP) coupled to mass spectrometry, were compared for the analysis of complex peptide samples. In the first dimension, a HILIC Amide and C18 Bioshell peptide (150 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 and 2.0 μm) columns were selected, while, in the second dimension, a short C18 (50 × 3.0 mm, 2.7 μm) Bioshell peptide column was used. Two C18 trapping columns (10 × 3.0 mm, 1.9 μm), characterized by high retention and surface area, were employed as modulation interface in both HILIC × RP and RP × RP methods. The LC × LC platforms were coupled to UV and tandem mass spectrometry detection and tested for the separation and identification of two gastro-intestinal digests of commercial microalgae formulations (Spirulina Platensis and Klamath). Their performances were evaluated in terms of peak capacity, maximum number and properties of identified phycocyanin peptides. Our results showed that the HILIC × RP approach provided the highest peak capacity values (nc HILIC × RP: 932 vs. nc RP × RP: 701) with an analysis time of 60 min, while the RP × RP approach was able to identify a slight higher number of phycocyanin derived peptides (HILIC × RP: 88 vs. RP × RP: 103). These results point out the flexibility and potential of HILIC × RP and RP × RP based on trapping modulation for peptide mapping approaches.

Arthrospira platensis, better known as Spirulina, is one of the most important microalgae species. This cyanobacterium possesses a rich metabolite pattern, including high amounts of natural pigments. In this study, we applied a combined strategy based on Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) and Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) for the qualitative/quantitative characterization of Spirulina pigments in three different commercial dietary supplements. FT-ICR was employed to elucidate the qualitative profile of Spirulina pigments, in both direct infusion mode (DIMS) and coupled to UHPLC. DIMS showed to be a very fast (4 min) and accurate (mass accuracy ≤ 0.01 ppm) tool. 51 pigments were tentatively identified. The profile revealed different classes, such as carotenes, xanthophylls and chlorophylls. Moreover, the antioxidant evaluation of the major compounds was assessed by pre-column reaction with the DPPH radical followed by fast UHPLC-PDA separation, highlighting the contribution of single analytes to the antioxidant potential of the entire pigment fraction. β-carotene, diadinoxanthin and diatoxanthin showed the highest scavenging activity. The method took 40 min per sample, comprising reaction. This strategy could represent a valid tool for the fast and comprehensive characterization of Spirulina pigments in dietary supplements, as well as in other microalgae-based products.