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Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis (LA) selectively eliminates lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B 100 (ApoB100) on patients affected by severe dyslipidemia. In addition to lowering lipids, LA is thought to exert pleiotropic effects altering a number of other compounds associated with atherosclerosis, such as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines or pro-thrombotic factors. More knowledge needs to be gathered on the effects of LA, and particularly on its ability to modify blood components other than lipids. We performed a multiparametric assessment of the inflammatory, metabolic and proteomic profile changes after Heparin-induced lipoprotein precipitation (H.E.L.P.) apheresis on serum samples from nine dyslipidemic patients evaluating cholesterol and lipoproteins, plasma viscosity and density, metabolites, cytokines, PCSK9 levels and other proteins selectively removed after the treatment. Our results show that H.E.L.P. apheresis is effective in lowering lipoprotein and PCSK9 levels. Although not significantly, complement and inflammation-related proteins are also affected, indicating a possible transient epiphenomenon induced by the extracorporeal procedure.

Background: Increasing evidences support a correlation between magnesium (Mg) homeostasis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, the role of Mg and its transporters as diagnostic markers in CRC is still a matter of debate. In this study we combined X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy and databases information to investigate the possible correlation between Mg imbalance and CRC. Methods: CRC tissue samples and their non-tumoural counterpart from four patients were collected and analysed for total Mg level and distribution by X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy. We also reviewed the scientific literature and the main tissue expression databases to collect data on Mg transporters expression in CRC. Results: We found a significantly higher content of total Mg in CRC samples when compared to non-tumoural tissues. Mg distribution was also impaired in CRC. Conversely, we evidenced an uncertain correlation between Mg transporters expression and colon malignancies. Discussion: Although further studies are necessary to determine the correlation between different cancer types and stages, this is the first report proposing the measurement of Mg tissue localisation as a marker in CRC. This study represents thus a proof-of-concept that paves the way for the design of a larger prospective investigation of Mg in CRC.

The detection of salivary molecules associated with pathological and physiological alterations has encouraged the search of novel and non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for oral health evaluation. While genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles of human saliva have been reported, its metabolic composition is a topic of research: metabolites in submandibular/sublingual saliva have never been analyzed systematically. In this study, samples of whole, parotid, and submandibular/sublingual saliva from 20 healthy donors, without dental or periodontal diseases, were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance. We identified metabolites which are differently distributed within the three saliva subtypes (54 in whole, 49 in parotid, and 36 in submandibular/sublingual saliva). Principal component analysis revealed a distinct cluster for whole saliva and a partial overlap for parotid and submandibular/sublingual metabolites. We found exclusive metabolites for each subtype: 2-hydroxy-3-methylvalerate, 3-methyl-glutarate, 3-phenylpropionate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, 4-hydroxyphenyllactate, galactose, and isocaproate in whole saliva, caprylate and glycolate in submandibular/sublingual saliva, arginine in parotid saliva. Salivary metabolites were classified into standard and non-proteinogenic amino acids and amines, simple carbohydrates, organic acids, bacterial-derived metabolites. The identification of a salivary gland-specific metabolic composition in healthy people provides the basis to invigorate the search for salivary biomarkers associated with oral and systemic diseases.

Allogeneic peripheral blood-derived (PBS) serum eye drops have been largely used in the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). Recently, cord blood has emerged as an effective alternative serum source (cord blood serum, CBS), containing a higher amount of growth factors than PBS, it holds the promise of a better capability to stimulate corneal healing. However, the lack of a standardized method for preparation, dispensation, storage and a poor biochemical characterization still hamper the establishment of a clinical consensus. Here the metabolomes of the two different serum eye drop preparations were compared using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We found that both PBS and CBS contained several organic compounds, the majority of them already detected in human tears and may be thereby considered lacrimal substitutes. Metabolites having in the multivariate statistical analysis Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) a VIP scores > 1.0 were considered to be significantly different. All the metabolites identified were found to have a p < 0.05 in the univariate analysis. CBS, in particular, showed the highest amount of choline, myo-inositol, glutamine, creatine and β-hydroxybutyrate. These evidences constitute relevant advances towards serum eye drops characterization and confirm that cord blood is a valid alternative source of serum eye drops.