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E Agradi

Publications and source records attributed to E Agradi.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Regulatory relevance of lipoproteins in interleukin-2 stimulated lymphocytes in vitro.

The regulatory role of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in de novo protein synthesis and in natural killer (NK) mediated cytotoxicity against cancer cells was evaluated in IL-2 activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL). Supplementing of VLDL to the incubation medium induced a potent dose-related inhibitory effect on the synthesis and secretion of (35S) labelled proteins. The maximal inhibitory response was observed at 50 micrograms/ml cholesterol VLDL. The effect of VLDL on the IL-2 induced ability of lymphocytes to kill cancer cells and to interfere with target cell proliferation was then evaluated. Maximal cytotoxicity was observed at 50 micrograms VLDL/ml as cholesterol. This VLDL-dependent stimulatory effect was associated with a significant decrease in the proliferative effect of the medium conditioned by PBL. The possibility that VLDL mediate the regulation of immune functions by interacting with metabolic patterns expressed by IL-2 stimulated lymphocytes is discussed in light of these results.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of highly unsaturated fatty acid levels in wild and farmed eels (Anguilla anguilla).

1. Absolute and relative amounts of eicosapentaneoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic acid (DHA) in muscle of eels from four different fish farms were compared with samples from wild eels from two different areas of northern Italy. 2. Farmed eels were richer in DHA and EPA than wild animals. 3. The addition of cod liver oil to the diet of farmed eels led to a significant accumulation of EPA and DHA, but no change in total lipid content. 4. The calculation of two indices related to highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) content (FLQ = fish lipid quality; AI = aterogenic index), indicated the higher nutritional value of farmed vs wild fish. 5. We conclude that farmed eels are an adequate source of fish products for human nutrition and propose use of the above-mentioned indices as an effective means for assessing fish nutritional quality for populations at high risk of chronic degenerative disease.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of plasma from cancer patients on rat skeletal muscle protein degradation and PGE2 release in vitro.

Cachexia in tumour-bearing patients involves loss of skeletal muscle proteins. In order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, we tested the hypothesis of the presence of a circulating proteolytic factor (possibly interleukin-1, acting through an increased PGE2 release) in the plasma of cancer patients, because such a mechanism has been demonstrated in patients with sepsis or trauma and in animals with bacteraemia or viraemia. The effect of plasma from 13 malnourished cancer patients and 14 controls on PGE2 release and protein degradation (assessed as Tyr release) in rat diaphragm in vitro was evaluated; human recombinant interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1) was used for comparison. IL-1 increased PGE2 release (+44% at 5 U/ml), but did not greatly affect proteolysis. On the contrary, human plasma (125 microliters/ml) from both control and tumour-bearing individuals did not affect PGE2 release significantly, but greatly reduced Tyr release. The decrease in Tyr release by plasma was dose-dependent. In conclusion, our data indicate that, at variance with what was demonstrated in patients with trauma or sepsis, loss of skeletal muscle proteins in cancer patients is not mediated by a circulating factor. In addition, evidence is provided of dissociation between PGE2 and Tyr release and of lack of proteolytic activity for IL-1.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids and elevation of the oleic/stearic acid ratio in plasma and red blood cell lipids of malnourished cancer patients.

The fatty acids profiles of plasma and red blood cell lipids have been evaluated in 12 malnourished cancer patients in comparison with samples from eight healthy controls. In such patients, significantly lower levels of linoleic acid (LA) as percentage of total fatty acids were observed in plasma phospholipids (PL) and cholesterol esters (CE), and in red blood cells PL. The levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and the unsaturation index of the two lipid classes were also reduced in plasma CE but not in PL. In spite of the marked reduction of LA and, more generally, of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), no elevation of eicosatrienoic acid (20:3 n-9) was observed, such acid being considered a typical index of essential fatty deficiency. Moreover, no modification of the parameters indicating impairment of the fatty acid desaturation activity was shown. In addition, the levels of palmitic and oleic acids were significantly higher in both plasma PL and CE and in red blood cells PL. The reported elevation of the oleic to stearic acid ratio in lipids of red blood cells from malnourished cancer patients, already observed by other authors, was confirmed in our study. This ratio was even more markedly elevated in plasma lipids of the patients. A very good correlation was found between the reduction of linoleic acid levels, especially in plasma CE, and weight loss, suggesting enhanced utilization of this fatty acid in association with extensive depletion of lipid stores, in this pathological state.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of nutritional status after total or subtotal gastrectomy.

Forty-four disease-free patients were evaluated a mean of three years after total gastrectomy (TG) or subtotal gastrectomy (SG) for cancer. The investigation encompassed nutritional assessment by standard anthropometric and biochemical indices; evaluation of the nutritional intake based on 24 h recall and of appetite status on a visual analogue scale; and anamnestic analysis of postcibal symptoms and syndromes. Body weight had declined progressively until the 15th postoperative month after both TG and SG. Weight loss, as well as the general nutritional status index (actual body weight/usual body weight +/- actual body weight/desirable body weight + measured arm muscle circumference/reference arm muscle circumference x 33), had dropped more significantly in patients undergoing TG than those having SG (p less than 0.05). The principal body compartment change was observed in the fat content which was severely depleted, whereas the somatic proteins were relatively spared and the visceral proteins and remaining biochemical variables were in the normal range. Protein intake was not significantly different in the two groups, but caloric intake was significantly lower and the number of meals significantly higher after TG (p less than 0.05). These data suggest that malnutrition after TG is relatively mild and that this operation causes only a limited impairment of the nutritional state, and spares most of the nutritional variables of clinical interest in comparison with SG. These findings argue in favor of TG when clinically indicated without excessive concern about postoperative nutrition.

Adult↗