Search

Introduction Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the main lipid component of Mediterranean Diet (MD). Many studies, including the Seven Country Study, demonstrated that MD is able to reduce the incidence of chronic degenerative diseases, and that integration of MD with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) decreases the risk of major cardiovascular events. The Food and Drug Administration had recognized EVOO (23 g/day) as a qualified health claim to decrease the risk of Cardio-Vascular Diseases (CDVs). EVOO supplementation brings several benefits, due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and antiplatelet aggregation properties. The main EVOO cardio-protective effect is attributable to the presence of its phenolic compounds, of which hydroxytyrosol (HT) is the main component. The European Food Safety Authority has set out the health claims related to specific EVOO phenolic compounds: "A daily intake of 5mg of HT and its derivatives protect blood lipids from oxidative stress". Based on this assumption, we hypothesized that 3 weeks administration of 15 mg/day of HT, in a gastroresistant capsules new formulation, could lead to a change in nutritional status. Methods The randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was conducted on 28 volunteers. Evaluation was carried out on: nutritional status, serum metabolites, biomarkers of oxidative stress and related to oxidative stress, inflammation and CVD 9 genes expression. The study consisted of 2 cycles of 3- weeks chronic treatment with HT or placebo separated by 1 week washout period. At the beginning and at the end of each treatment, body composition evaluations, gene expression, and blood analysis were performed. Results Oxidation biomarkers, total antioxidant status, SOD 1, and plasma HT concentration were significantly increased, while nitrite, nitrate and malondialdehyde, as well as percentage of fat mass, sovrailiac fold and weight were drastically reduced after treatment. Conclusions This pilot study shows that the regular intake of 15 mg/day of HT modified the parameters of body composition and modulated the antioxidant profile and inflammatory and oxidative genes expression. The results, despite the limit of the reduced number of subjects enrolled, suggest the opportunity of a personalization of the therapy. The study, repeated on a larger scale, could acquire statistical significance.

Le cosiddette Malattie Non Trasmissibili (MNT) colpiscono più di 41 milioni di persone ogni anno, costituendo circa il 71% di tutte le malattie a livello mondiale. È ormai riconosciuto che l'aumentata incidenza delle MNT (patologie cardiovascolari, tumori, diabete, malattie neurodegenerative e patologie reumatiche) è dovuto anche a fattori ambientali, quali inquinamento e 'disalimentazione'. Studi recenti hanno dimostrato che un'alimentazione povera di carboidrati raffinati e proteine animali e al tempo stesso ricca di fibre e antiossidanti - caratteristica della Dieta Mediterranea - può rappresentare un fattore protettivo nei confronti delle MNT. Il ruolo dell'alimentazione viene ormai considerato tanto importante quanto quello delle terapie farmacologiche in uso. Un'alimentazione mirata è efficace per prevenire e gestire in modo adeguato le MNT e per evitarne ulteriori complicanze. Mantenere uno stile di vita sano, può aiutare a prevenire quelle che vengono definite le malattie del terzo millennio, dovute al progressivo invecchiamento della popolazione e a uno stile di vita non salutare. Le politiche governative dei paesi industrializzati sono ormai indirizzate all'implementazione di abitudini alimentari sane per prevenire le MNT legate all'alimentazione. È ben consolidata l'idea che gli acidi grassi mono e polinsaturi, i polifenoli, i flavonoidi, le antocianine, le vitamine e i sali minerali siano essenziali per mantenere un buono stato di salute. Tutte queste sostanze sono presenti in abbondanza negli alimenti che caratterizzano la Dieta Mediterranea, inserita nel 2010 dall'UNESCO tra i patrimoni culturali immateriali dell'Umanità.

In recent decades, there has been an exponential growth of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), a set of pathologies that have a significant impact in social and health terms, both because more and more families are involved, and because such diseases require a qualified integrated network of health and social assistance services. In light of all this, studies based on the search for possible preventive factors are taking on great importance: among the latter, the most important is undoubtedly linked to eating habits. The scientific community agrees in attributing to food a significant role in the pathogenesis of NCDs, which include: ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tumors, as well as some neurodegenerative and rheumatological diseases. Based on the positive results of numerous epidemiological studies Mediterranean Diet (MD) has been proposed in industrialized countries as an ideal food model. To further confirm, UNESCO, on November 16, 2010, proclaimed the MD intangible heritage of humanity. The constant presence in the MD of extra virgin olive oil which, indeed, can be considered its common denominator, has directed the attention of the scientific community towards the phenolic compounds present in it: o Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, gives high functionality to cell membranes and blood lipoproteins in our body. o Tocopherols, a great source of vitamin E and vitamin A. o Squalene and derivatives of oleuropein with remarkable antioxidant qualities, such as hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal (the latter responsible for the typical bitter taste). o Oleacein and betasitosterol which have a strong hypotensive and anti-inflammatory action.

The numerous beneficial properties of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) - proclaimed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity - on human health, also with regard to progressive neurodegenerative diseases, are well known. It has already been amply demonstrated in the literature that the oleocanthal (OC), a flavonoid compound of extra-virgin olive oil - which can be considered a MD common denominator - responsible for the pungent and acrid sensation in the pharynx, has anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiatherogenic, antioxidants and antimicrobials properties. Several studies confirm the preventive-curative effects of OC on Alzheimer's disease (AD) through mechanisms that would alter the structure of peptides in Amyloid-? (A?), preventing them from assembling into senile plaques, and hindering the protein ? fibrillation, responsible for the formation of neuro-fibrillar aggregates, which both contribute to the neuronal degenerative processes. Among the various hypotheses on the OC action mechanism there is that concerning the A? clearance increase from the brain through its action on two main transport proteins: the LDL Lipoprotein Receptor Related Protein-1 (LRP-1), and the P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In this study we investigated the effect of OC treatment on P-gp and LRP-1 levels, in bEnd3 cell cultures - brain endothelial cells that constitutively express the LRP-1 and P-gp proteins and constitute a representative model of mouse Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). After the treatment, we proceeded with cell collection, protein extraction and Western Blot (WB) analysis, repeated three times. The bands were visualized using the Super Signal West Femto Maximum Sensitivity substrate detection kit. The quantitative analysis of the immunoreactive bands was carried out using the Gene Snap luminescent image analyzer and the intensity of the bands was measured by densitometric analysis. From the results obtained by the WB it can be seen that the treatment of bEnd3 cells with the OC results in a significant increase in the expression levels of LRP-1 and P-gp. The results of this study provide further evidence of the OC role as a neuro-protective agent against AD, also due to its ability to induce the LRP-1 and P-gp expression, proteins responsible for A? clearance through BBB.

Negli ultimi decenni si è osservata una crescita esponenziale delle Malattie Non Trasmissibili (MNT), un insieme di patologie che hanno un notevole impatto in termini socio-sanitari sia perché un sempre maggior numero di famiglie ne viene coinvolto, sia perché richiedono una qualificata rete integrata di servizi sanitari e socio-assistenziali. Alla luce di tutto ciò, grande rilevanza stanno assumendo gli studi basati sulla ricerca di possibili fattori di prevenzione: tra questi il più importante è indubbiamente legato alle abitudini alimentari. La comunità scientifica è concorde nell'attribuire alla dieta un ruolo significativo nella patogenesi delle MNT, che comprendono: cardiopatie ischemiche, malattie cerebrovascolari, diabete di tipo 2, tumori, patologie neurodegenerative, nonché malattie reumatologiche. La Dieta Mediterranea (DM) è stata proposta nei paesi industrializzati come modello alimentare ideale sulla base dei risultati positivi di numerosi studi epidemiologici. Ad ulteriore conferma, l'UNESCO, il 16 novembre 2010, ha proclamato la DM patrimonio dell'umanità. La costante presenza nella DM dell'olio extra vergine d'oliva che, anzi, può esserne considerato il comune denominatore, ha indirizzato l'attenzione della comunità scientifica verso i composti fenolici in esso presenti: ? L'acido oleico, acido grasso monoinsaturo, conferisce elevata funzionalità alle membrane cellulari e alle lipoproteine ematiche del nostro organismo. ? I tocoferoli, grande fonte di vitamina E e vitamina A. ? Lo squalene ed i derivati dell'oleuropeina con notevoli doti antiossidanti, come l'idrossitirosolo e l'oleocantale responsabile del tipico gusto amaro. ? L'oleacina e il betasitosterolo che esplicano una decisa azione ipotensiva e antinfiammatoria. Molte sono le proprietà benefiche di questi composti e molte quelle ancora da scoprire.

Around 400 BC Hippocrates said: "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food". It is now recognized that the increased incidence of numerous disorders (rheumatological, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, tumors, food intolerances) is also due to environmental factors, such as pollution and incorrect nutrition. Recent studies have shown that a diet poor in refined carbohydrates and animal proteins and, at the same time, rich in fiber and antioxidants - a characteristic of the Mediterranean Diet - can represent a protective factor against so-called Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The role of nutrition is now considered as important as that of drug therapies in use. A targeted diet is effective to prevent and adequately manage NCDs and to avoid further complications. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent those that have been defined third millennium diseases, due to the progressive aging of the population and to an unhealthy lifestyle. NCDs kill 40 million people each year, or about 70% of all deaths worldwide. In particular, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), four groups of disease killers are responsible for 80% of premature deaths related to NCDs: heart attack and stroke (17.7 million deaths); tumors (8.8 million); respiratory diseases (3.9 million, mainly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); diabetes (1.6 million). Moreover, patients with inflammatory rheumatic conditions and neurodegenerative diseases are at increased risk of common comorbidities such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, which lead to increased morbidity and mortality. The most effective prevention against these diseases is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Government policies in industrialized countries are now directed towards implementing healthy eating habits to prevent food-related NCDs. Is well established the idea that mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamins, minerals and fiber are essential for maintaining good health. All these substances are present in abundance in the foods that characterize the Mediterranean Diet, inserted in the 2010 by UNESCO among the intangible cultural heritages of Humanity. The Mediterranean Diet and a healthy lifestyle are associated with a reduction in the onset of chronic diseases, such as cancer, dysmetabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative and rheumatological diseases.

Mouse models that carry mutations causing thalassemia represent a suitable tool to testin vivonew mutation-specific therapeutic approaches. Transgenic mice carrying theβ-globin IVSI-6 mutation (the most frequent in Middle-Eastern regions and recurrent in Italy and Greece) are, at present, not available. We report the production and characterization of a transgenic mouse line (TG-β-IVSI-6) carrying the IVSI-6 thalassemia point mutation within the humanβ-globin gene. In the TG-β-IVSI-6 mouse (a) the transgenic integration region is located in mouse chromosome 7; (b) the expression of the transgene is tissue specific; (c) as expected, normally spliced humanβ-globin mRNA is produced, giving rise toβ-globin production and formation of a human-mouse tetrameric chimeric hemoglobinαmu-globin2/βhu-globin2and, more importantly, (d) the aberrantβ-globin-IVSI-6 RNAs are present in blood cells. The TG-β-IVSI-6 mouse reproduces the molecular features of IVSI-6β-thalassemia and might be used as anin vivomodel to characterize the effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting the cryptic sites responsible for the generation of aberrantly splicedβ-globin RNA sequences, caused by the IVSI-6 mutation. These experiments are expected to be crucial for the development of a personalized therapy forβ-thalassemia.