Impact of diet-induced obesity on the mouse brain phosphoproteome

Obesity is closely associated to several diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hepatic steatosis, airway disease, neurodegeneration, biliary diseases and certain cancers. It is, therefore, of importance to assess the role of nutrition in disease prevention as well as its effect in the course of such pathologies. In the present study, we addressed the impact of the exposure to different obesogenic diets in the mice brains phosphoproteome. To analyze if the obesity could be able to modify the protein pattern expression of brain neurons, obesity was induced in two different groups of mice. One group of mice was fed with hyperglycemic diet (HGD) and the other one was fed wit…

On the morphology of Anisakis pegreffii: a comparative analysis of three microscopic techniques used to build a new parasite atlas

BACKGROUND: Human anisakidosis is a parasitic anthropozoonosis caused by larval nematodes of the family Anisakidae. Here, we report a detailed description of the morphology of Anisakis pegreffii third-stage larva performed using a conventional light and confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that provide a basis for both phenotypic studies and genetic mutations. METHODS: The collected larvae from fish were morphologically identified as Anisakis larvae Type I, and they were characterized by PCR-RFLP to identify the Anisakis pegreffii specie. Using NC5/NC2 primers, ribosomal genomic regions ITS1, 5.8 SrRNA and ITS2 of DNA were amplified and PCR products were sequenced. Fi…

How cancer cells cross lymphatic endothelium?

The lymphatic microcirculation is a key component of metastatic spread providing a pathway for cancer cell dissemination, and the endothelium seems to enhance or promote the invasiveness of certain cancer cells. Furthermore, some tumors secrete lymphangiogenic growth factors acting on the lymphatic vasculature to facilitate metastasis. This study, based on 875 ultrastructural serial sections and 9 three-dimensional reconstructions of 28 initial lymphatics, clarify the transmigration mechanism of cancer cells from the extravascular matrix to the lumen of initial lymphatics. The lymphatic identification and distribution were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistr…

Light and electron microscopy study of D2-40 expression on lymphatics

Correlation of Metabolic Syndrome with Redox Homeostasis Biomarkers: Evidence from High-Fat Diet Model in Wistar Rats

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is an extremely complex disease. A non-balanced diet such as high-fat diet (HFD) induces metabolic dysfunction that could modify redox homeostasis. We here aimed at exploring redox homeostasis in male Wistar rats, following 8 weeks of HFD, correlating the eventual modification of selected biomarkers that could be associated with the clinical manifestations of MetS. Therefore, we selected parameters relative to both the glucose tolerance and lipid altered metabolism, but also oxidative pattern. We assessed some biomarkers of oxidative stress i.e., thiols balance, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant barriers, via the use of specific biochemical assays, individuating e…

The “mode” of lymphocyte extravasation through HEV of Peyer's patches and its role in normal homing and inflammation

The mode of lymphocyte transendothelial migration in the postcapillary high endothelial venules (HEVs) of Peyer's patches during normal homing and acute inflammation in the guinea pig was studied. It is common opinion that the lymphocyte transendothelial passage from the blood stream into the extravasal lymphoid tissue calls for a multistep process of endothelial and lymphocyte molecules favoring tethering, rolling, activation, arrest and its firm adhesion to the endothelial luminal surface. Ultrastructural serial pictures and the three-dimensional reconstruction of HEVs with lymphocytes during different moments of their transmigration through the endothelial wall enabled us to demonstrate …

Neuronostatin: peripheral site of action in mouse stomach.

Neuronostatin is a 13-amino acid peptide encoded by somatostatin gene. It is distributed in different organs including gastrointestinal tract and has been involved in the control of food intake and gastroin-testinal motility, likely through an action in the brain. So far, there are no reports about the occurrence of peripheral action sites in the gut. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine, in the mouse, the effects of peripheral administration of neuronostatin on food intake within 24 h and on gastrointestinal motility and to analyse neuronostatin actions on the gastric and intestinal mechanical activity in isolated preparations in vitro. When compared with PBS-treated …

INFLUENZA DEL TIPO DI PAVIMENTAZIONE SULLA COMPARSA DELLA SINDROME “DEBOLEZZA DEGLI ARTI” E SULL’INCIDENZA E GRAVITA’ DELLE LESIONI ARTICOLARI OSTEOCONDROTICHE NEL SUINO PESANTE ITALIANO

E’ stata studiata, nel suino pesante italiano, l’influenza del tipo di pavimentazione sulla comparsa della sindrome “Debolezza degli Arti” e sull’incidenza e gravità delle lesioni articolari osteocondrotiche; sono stati, inoltre, determinati i livelli sierici di CK ed LDH. Tre gruppi di suini, che hanno raggiunto il peso di macellazione di circa 160 kg, hanno vissuto per circa quattro mesi su tre diverse tipologie di pavimentazione: parzialmente fessurato, totalmente fessurato in cemento e pavimentazione piena con defecatoio esterno su grigliato di cemento. I risultati hanno messo in evidenza differenze statisticamente significative solo per quanto riguarda l’esame clinico riferibile alla s…

Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

High-fat diet (HFD) induces inflammation and microbial dysbiosis, which are components of the metabolic syndrome. Nutritional strategies can be a valid tool to prevent metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the chronic intake of pistachio prevents obesity-associated inflammation and dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice. Three groups of male mice (four weeks old

Glucagon-like peptide-2 treatment improves glucose dysmetabolism in mice fed a high fat diet

Previous studies suggested that endogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is dispensable for the regulation of glucose homeostasis under normal conditions, while it can play a beneficial role in obesity conditions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether chronic treatment with Gly2-GLP-2, a stable analogue of GLP-2, can have an impact on glycaemic and lipid control in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), an animal model of human obesity and insulin resistance. HFD mice were treated once a day with Gly2-GLP-2 for 4 weeks. Body weight, food intake, fasting glucose, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance, insulin-induced glucose clearance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, β-cel…

FINE STRUCTURE OF THE ABSORBING LYMPHATIC VESSEL AND INTRAVASATION MODALITY OF THE CANCER CELL

The topografic distribution and the fine structure of the tumor-associated absorbing lymphatic vessel in the B16 Melanoma and T84 adenocarcinoma subcutaneous tumor mass of nude mice and in adenocarcinoma mouse prostate in transgenic mice were studied to demonstrate the modality of the cancer cell transendothelial migration and the role of the lymphatic pathway in the metastatic diffusion. Furthermore, the structural characteristics of the lymphatic vascular system canalisation, that allow to discriminate between the vessels with high absorbent capacity, distinctive of the mucous and submucous network and vessels with lymph flow and conduction function (precollectors, pre- and postlymph noda…

Postnatal development of the dopaminergic signaling involved in the modulation of intestinal motility in mice

Background:Since antidopaminergic drugs are pharmacological agents employed in the management of gastrointestinal motor disorders at all ages, we investigated whether the enteric dopaminergic system may undergo developmental changes after birth.Methods:Intestinal mechanical activity was examined in vitro as changes in isometric tension.Results:In 2-d-old (P2) mice, dopamine induced a contractile effect, decreasing in intensity with age, replaced, at the weaning (day 20), by a relaxant response. Both responses were tetrodotoxin (TTX)-insensitive. In P2, dopaminergic contraction was inhibited by D1-like receptor antagonist and mimicked by D1-like receptor agonist. In 90-d-old (P90) mice, the …

Pancreatic polypeptide stimulates mouse gastric motor activity through peripheral neural mechanisms

Background Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is supposed to be one of the major endogenous agonists of the neuropeptide Y4 receptor. Pancreatic polypeptide can influence gastrointestinal motility, acting mainly through vagal mechanisms, but whether PP acts directly on the stomach has not been explored yet. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of PP on mouse gastric emptying, on spontaneous tone of whole stomach in vitro and to examine the mechanism of action. Methods Gastric emptying was measured by red phenol method after i.p. PP administration (1–3 nmol per mouse). Responses induced by PP (1–300 mmol L−1) on gastric endoluminal pressure were analyzed in vitro in the presence o…

AphaMax®, an Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Aqueous Extract, Exerts Intestinal Protective Effects in Experimental Colitis in Rats

Background: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a unicellular cyanobacterium considered to be a &ldquo

PD123319, angiotensin II type II receptor antagonist, inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation in 2, 4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in rat and ameliorates colonic contractility

Angiotensin II, the main effector of renin angiotensin system, plays an important role in the inflammatory process and most of its effects are mediated through the AT1 receptor activation. However, the knowledge about the AT2 receptor involvement in this process is still evolving. We previously found that in an experimental model of colitis, AT2 receptor activation can contribute to the impairment of the muscle contractility in vitro in the course of inflammation. Here, we investigated the potential alleviating effects of the in vivo treatment of PD123319 (1-[[4-(Dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7- tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid ditriflu…

Adaptive response of osteoblasts grown on a titanium surface: morphology, cell proliferation and stress protein synthesis.

Titanium is one of the most widely used biomaterials in orthopaedic, dental and trauma surgery. Superficial adhesion and cell proliferation represent the first steps of cell-biomaterial interactions. The efficacy of this early phase influences the subsequent ability to differentiate, and hence the knowledge of these cell activities is important for studying and improving the biocompatibility of biomaterials. The aim of this study was to test the adaptive ability of osteoblastic cells grown on titanium surfaces, including morphologic, proliferative and adaptative aspects.

Characterization of the immune cells response and ultrastructural study of dendritic cell Golgi Apparatus role in ORF virus infection

Contagious Ecthyma is an acute skin anthropozoonosis caused by orf virus (ORFV), which affects sheep and goat. The infectious agent is an epitheliotropic, double- stranded DNA poxvirus. Infection happens via the hurt skin, and causes a localized virus production in the epidermal cells and keratinocytes. This paper characterize the cellular immune response by cytochemistry in ORFV infection and studies the role of Golgi Apparatus (GA) of keratinocytes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 3D models. Twenty cutaneous biopsies in sheep from ORFV infected lesions were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin for light microscopy. Paraffin sections were immunocytochemically stained…

On the develpment of the absorbing lymphatic vessel

On the lymphocyte transendothelial migration at the level of absorbing lymphatic vessel of thymus-dependent lymphoid areas of Peyer's patches

Angiotensin II type II receptors and colonic dysmotility in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats

Background: Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), has been suggested to be involved in inflammatory bowel diseases. Since RAS has emerged as gut motility regulator, and dysmotility is associated with intestinal inflammation, our objective was to investigate in rat 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis the functionality of RAS and its contribution to colonic motor alterations. Methods: The effects of Ang II on the longitudinal colonic muscular contractility of control and DNBS-treated rats were characterized in vitro. Transcripts encoding for Ang II receptors were investigated by RT-PCR. Key Results: Inflamed preparations showed a l…

Seasonal features of lymphocyte extravasation through bthe lymph nodal HEVS

A histological study of eosinophilic granuloma in mice following infestation with Anisakis larvae

Preventive effects of guanosine on intestinal inflammation in 2, 4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis in rats

Background: Guanosine, a guanine-based purine, is an extracellular signaling molecule exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects in several in vivo and in vitro injury models. We aimed to investigate its protective effects on 2, 4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis in rat. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups and colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of DNBS (15 mg/rat). Guanosine (4 or 8 mg/kg) was administered for 6 days i.p. starting the day of the colitis induction. Body weight loss, stool consistency, colon weight/length, histological analysis, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed. Immunoblotting …

Health benefits of pistachios consumption

The health benefits of nuts, mainly in relation to the improvement of dysmetabolic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and the related cardiovascular diseases, have been widely demonstrated. Compared to other nuts, pistachios have a lower fat and caloric content, and contain the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids, potassium, γ-tocopherol, phytosterols and xanthophyll carotenoids, all substances that are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This variety of nutrients contributes to the growing body of evidence that the consumption of pistachios improves health, leading to a greater potential of healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activi…

Activation of angiotensin II type 1 receptors and contractile activity in human sigmoid colon in vitro.

We propose and validate a non-invasive method that enables accurate detection of the discharge times of a relatively large number of motor units during excitatory and inhibitory reflex stimulations. HDsEMG and intramuscular EMG (iEMG) were recorded from the tibialis anterior muscle during ankle dorsiflexions performed at 5%, 10%, and 20% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force, in 9 healthy subjects. The tibial nerve (inhibitory reflex) and the peroneal nerve (excitatory reflex) were stimulated with constant current stimuli. In total, 416 motor units were identified from the automatic decomposition of the HDsEMG. The iEMG was decomposed using a state-of-the-art decomposition tool a…

Angiotensin II type-2 receptors and colonic dysmotility associated to experimental colitis in rats

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a newly discovered modulator of intestinal motility, mainly via activation of excitatory AT1 receptors (AT1R). We demonstrated that during gut inflammation there is a recruitment of inhibitory AT2 receptors (AT2R) which would counteract the AT1R-induced effects. Our objective was to explore the consequence of AT2R activation in the pathogenesis of experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in rats by intrarectal administration of 2,4-Dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS). Colonic damage was assessed by macro- and microscopic scores, myeloperoxidase activity and inflammatory cytokine expression on day 6 after colitis induction. Colonic contractility was recorded in vi…

Glucagon-like peptide-2 reduces the obesity-associated inflammation in the brain.

Growing evidence suggests a link between obesity and neurodegeneration. The purpose of the present study was to explore the neuroprotective potential of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) in the brain of high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were analysed in the brains of obese mice chronically treated with [Gly2]-GLP-2 (teduglutide), the stable analogue of the GLP-2, and they were compared to age-matched untreated obese and lean animals. Neurodegeneration was examined by TUNEL assay. HFD feeding increased the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (NF-kB, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), index of gliosis and neurodege…

Lymphocyte transendothelial passage in postcapillary high endothelial venules (HEV) of lymph nodes and aggregate lymph nodules

On the absorbent peripheral lymphatic vessel (ALPA) vessel in some experimental toumors

Glucagon-like peptide-2 analog and inflammatory state in obese mice

Obesity is characterized by chronic low grade of systemic inflammation that develops in response to nutrient excess and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. It is characterized by macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue (AT) and abnormal cytokine production. These factors damage the metabolic homeostasis leading to alteration in the insulin signaling in specific tissues and organs such as AT and liver. Thus, obese subjects develop over the time resistance to the cellular actions of insulin. Glucagon like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an intestinal proglucagon-derived hormone released together with GLP1, in response to the passage of food by the distal small intestine. Once…

Pistachio Consumption Prevents and Improves Lipid Dysmetabolism by Reducing the Lipid Metabolizing Gene Expression in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Pistachios contain beneficial substances such as unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, and polyphenols. In the present study, we investigated if pistachio consumption is able to prevent or to revert hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and adipose tissue morphological alterations caused by high fat diet (HFD) in the mouse. Moreover, the impact of pistachio intake on the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &gamma

Chronic administration of green tea extract to TRAMP mice induces the collapse of Golgi apparatus in prostate secretory cells and results in alterations of protein post-translational processing.

Considering its long latency, prostate cancer (PCa) represents an ideal target for chemoprevention strategies. Green tea extract (GTE) has been proved to be one of the most promising natural substances capable of inhibiting PCa progression in animal models (transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate), as well as in humans. However, the cellular targets of the GTE action are mostly unknown. The main objective of this work was to investigate whether the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus (GA), known to be actively involved in sensing stress stimuli and initiating and propagating cell death signalling, may represent the subcellular targets of GTE action. To this end, 42 TRAMP …

Can specific pre-workout meals reduce bone resorption in young gymnasts?

The pre-adolescence in woman is a key stage to obtain adequate bone mineral content and to decrease the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood. Exercise and adequate nutrition can influence the bone growth process. The aim of this paper was to verify if a different pre-exercise meal can change exercise-induced bone resorption in female child artistic gymnasts. Twenty-eight preadolescent female were requited for this study. Training was preceded by high-carbohydrate meal (HCM; 300 kcal, 88% carbohydrates, 9% protein, 3% fat) or high protein meal (HPM; 300 kcal, 55% carbohydrates, 31% protein, 13% fat) ninety minutes before the start of the training session. Bone resorption biomarker, C-terminal t…

P100 Guanosine prevents nuclear factor-κB nuclear translocation ameliorating experimental colitis in rats

A New Potential Dietary Approach to Supply Micronutrients to Physically Active People through Consumption of Biofortified Vegetables

Micronutrients are required in many reactions involved in physical activity and exercise. Most physically active people do not meet the body’s needs in terms of micronutrients through diet. The novelty of the present manuscript is the use of an innovative dietary approach to supply micronutrients to physically active people through biofortified food. Therefore, the key point of this study was to verify whether supplementation with biofortified vegetables—and specifically molybdenum (Mo)-enriched lettuce—in healthy volunteers affects essential regulators of body homeostasis and, specifically, hematological parameters, iron and lipid metabolism, and hepatic function. Twenty-…

Adhesion and adaptive response of osteoblastlike cells (SAOS-2) grown on dfferent ti-6al-4v surfaces.

Osteoblastic-like cells (SAOS-2) were seeded on three differently treated surfaces of Ti- 6Al-4V (T1: not treated; T2: chemically treated; T3: electrochemically treated). After 6h, the cells grown on T1 and T2 surfaces showed a typical poligonal morphology, they were strongly adherent to the surface and after 24h-48h they spread and formed a confluent monolayer. On the contrary, cells seeded on T3 showed heterogeneous morphology, decreased adhesion, loss of thin cellular expansions, and showed cellular shrinkage and apoptotic blebbing; only after 48h they were able to attach and form a monolayer after 4 days of seeding. Cell proliferation was significantly lower on T3 than T1 and T2 surface…

Differential recruitment of Angiotensin II receptors in the modulation of rat colonic contractile activity in experimental inflammation

Objective: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), are severe gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, with unknown aetiology, characterized by a chronic intestinal inflammatory reaction, progressively affecting GI functions, as gut motility. During inflammatory events, modifications in the functionality of some enteric modulators could contribute to the pathological changes of GI motor patterns. Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main effector of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), has been recently reported as novel regulator of GI motility, acting on the specific receptors (AT1R and AT2R) located on the gut wall. Since recent studies have pointed out an involvement of RAS system in GI inflammation, we expl…

Anisakis pegrefii and Anisakis simplex sensu strictu in Mediterranean sea

BACKGROUND: Anisakiasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by ingestion of nematode larvae belonging to Anisakidae family, following consumption of raw, undercooked or improperly processed fish. Mediterranean sea represent an aquatic ecosystem particularly suitable for the development of Anisakid larvae. The aim of this work is to found intra-species and inter-species nucleotide differences by phylogenetic analysis in this geographical area. METHODS: In the period from January to November 2013, 584 fish from Mediterranean sea were screened, and they were found parasitised of 6318 type I anisakid larvae. Fish were eviscerated and observed by stereo microscope to collect larvae relived in the vis…

ROLE OF RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM IN COLONIC DYSMOTILITY ASSOCIATED WITH BOWEL INFLAMMATION IN RATS

Dysregulation of different mediator systems could contribute to the gut dismotility in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), chronic disorders characterized by an exasperated immune response disturbing gut functions. Among these, Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main peptide of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), can participate in inflammatory responses and RAS components are increased in IBD patients. Since RAS has emerged as gut motility regulator, our objectives was to investigate, in an IBD rat model, the RAS functionality and its eventual contribution to colonic dismotility. Experimental colitis was induced in rats by intracolonic administration of 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS). Drug e…

INFLUENCE OF FLOOR TYPE ON THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF LEG WEAKNESS SYNDROME (LWS) AND OF ARTICULAR OSTEOCHONDROSIS (OC) IN ITALIAN HEAVY PIG.

MATERNAL HIGH FAT DIET CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: IMPACT ON INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION IN PREWEANING OFFSPRING

Different evidence supports an important role for maternal obesity in the development of childhood obesity and subsequent adult disease. This study is addressed to investigate if and to which extend maternal high fat feeding would induce compensatory and adaptative responses in gut predisposing to the eventual development of paediatric obesity. Adult female mice were divided into two groups fed with i) high fat (HF) diet and ii) standard chow (SC)diet, during pregnancy and lactation. HF mothers showed a significant weight gain, higher levels of blood glucose and an abnormal glucose tolerance compared to SC mother, indicating the establishment of metabolic syndrome. Then, offspring subdivide…

New route of lymphocyte diapedesis through High endothelial venules (HEVs) in peripheral and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Analysis of Body Perception, Preworkout Meal Habits and Bone Resorption in Child Gymnasts

The beneficial effects of physical activity on body image perception and bone are debated among artistic gymnasts. Gymnasts seem to be at greater risk of developing body dissatisfaction, eating disorders and osteoporosis due to inadequate nutrition and attention to the appearance of the body. The objective of this work was to investigate the association between the artistic gymnast and a more favorable body image compared to their sedentary peers and if a preworkout high-carbohydrate meal (HCM