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F Marotta

Publications and source records attributed to F Marotta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Relationship between aging and susceptibility of erythrocytes to oxidative damage: in view of nutraceutical interventions.

Twelve (12) healthy elderly subjects were divided into two groups: (a) those given an antioxidant/NO-modulating fermented papaya preparation (FPP) 9 g/day for 4 weeks, and (b) a placebo group. No protein/lipid distribution in erythrocytes (RBC) membranes was noted among different ages and treatments. Higher RBC concentration of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide synthase were found in the elderly (p < 0.05 versus "young" controls), whereas superoxide dismutase was unaltered. Such abnormalities were prevented by FPP supplementation (p < 0.01). RBC and RBC ghosts showed an enhanced susceptibility to lipid peroxidation by using cumene hydroperoxide (p < 0.01 versus young) but FPP supplementation significantly protected intact RBC (p < 0.05). These preliminary data suggest that nutraceuticals with antioxidant/NO-regulating properties significantly protect from RBC oxidative damage, and are potential weapons for the aging process and chronic and degenerative diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Liver exposure to xenobiotics: the aging factor and potentials for functional foods.

Hepatocytes isolated from 20- and 4-month Wistar rats and cultured with or without alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) were then added with nutraceutical YHK or sylibin before the test with iron or copper. Overall, YHK proved to be more effective than sylibin in Fe/Cu-induced peroxidative damage on normal and LNA-loaded hepatocytes (p < 0.05). YHK exerted a significant protection against DPPH radical-scavenging activity in the "old" group (p versus sylibin) and against lipophilic generators in both age groups (p < 0.05 versus sylibin). Both compounds were ineffective on age-related increase of surface-charge density. These preliminary data suggest that age per se enhances the vulnerability of hepatocytes to xenobiotics, whereas some safe nutraceuticals seem to exert significant protective effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The aging gut motility decay: may symbiotics be acting as "implantable" biologic pace-makers?

Motility recording of small and large intestine was performed in old Wistar rats divided into three groups: (a) standard diet, (b) standard diet plus a symbiotic preparation, and (c) standard diet plus a heat-inactivated symbiotic preparation. SCM-III. significantly increased the myoelectric activity of small intestine and colon (p < 0.01 versus [a] and [c]) paralleling "young" values of 4-month-old rats and increased the spike burst frequency in the proximal-distal colon (p < 0.05). SCM-III significantly increased the frequency and duration of spike bursts in the jejunum, transverse-distal colon, and defecation frequency, while decreasing the intervals of migrating motor complex in the colon (p < 0.01) to "young" values with an increased mRNA expression of VIP (p < 0.05). Gut flora manipulation aimed to modulate myoelectric activity can tentatively help reversing age-related motility decay.

Aging↗
PubMed2006

Preventive strategy for Candida gut translocation during ischemia-reperfusion injury supervening on protein-calorie malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that protein-calorie malnutrition aggravates the gut translocation of Candida albicans triggered by mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in an experimental model while testing a natural product containing the antifungal anethole/polygodial mixture (Kolorex). METHODS: MFI strain white mice (n = 90) were randomly allocated to a 4-week dietary regimen: (1) standard pellet diet containing 25% casein; (2) low-protein (2.5%) casein diet; (3) as group 2 plus oral supplementation with 20 microL of a 5% solution of Kolorex during the last 4 days. Twenty rats from each of these groups (termed 1a, 2a and 3a) were orally inoculated with Candida suspension 6 h prior to mesenteric IR injury. Animals of each group but without Candida inoculation (termed 1b, 2b and 3b) served as control. A colon permeability study was carried out as well. Rats were killed prior to the IR injury and 3 h afterwards. Control rats were killed at the same time. RESULTS: Over 60% of the mesenteric lymph nodes and 30% of kidney samples were positive for C. albicans in the low-protein-fed rats after IR injury. Kolorex significantly decreased that rate of positivity and also significantly reduced the concentration of C. albicans per gram of each positive tissue sample examined. Protein-calorie malnourished animals showed a statistically significant increase in colon permeability and this phenomenon further increased after IR injury. The groups of rats treated with Kolorex compound showed a partial, although significant, improvement of this parameter. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Kolorex might exert a competitive effect against with C. albicans colonization. The present study represents the first experimental in vivo investigation of the anethole/polygodial-containing compound under the specific conditions of calorie-protein malnutrition and the results have potential clinical interest.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗
PubMed2006

Redox status impairment in liver and kidney of prematurely senescent mice: effectiveness of DTS phytotherapeutic compound.

T-maze test-selected prematurely senescent mice (PSM) were allocated into two groups: (A) those given DTS (150 mg/kg) orally for 30 days and (B) untreated PSM with age-matched fast T-maze performers as control. After sacrifice, the liver and kidney were analyzed for catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondyaldehyde (MDA), and plasma thiols. Untreated PSM showed decreased plasma thiols and tissue level of CAT, SOD, GPx, with higher MDA (P < 0.01 vs. fast performers), while DTS (Denshichi-Tochiu-Sen) significantly improved glutathione and cysteine (P < 0.05) and tissue concentration of the above parameters (P < 0.05). Such preliminary data suggest that DTS mitigated oxidative damage in PSM, with likely action on the cytoplasm and mitochondrial matrix.

Aging↗
PubMed2006

A dietary supplement improves outcome in an experimental influenza model in old mice.

Twenty-month-old Swiss mice were allocated into three groups: (A) control; (B) infected group; and (C) infected but treated with 5 mg of the phytocompound MMT. Mice were infected intranasally with 30 microL of 75 HA viral units. MMT markedly blunted the nasal signs of virus infection and the febrile response. Formazan-positive cells, lung and plasma lipoperoxides, and TNF-alpha in lung tissue increased during viral infection, but improvement was seen in the MMT-treated group (P < 0.05). MMT also normalized SOD, catalase activities, and ascorbic acid and determined a significant decrease of lung but not nasal viral titer, although nasal inflammatory infiltrate dropped significantly. MMT has potential clinical applications with and has an excellent safety profile even in old animals.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

Biophysics of aging and therapeutic interventions by entropy-variation systems.

The cell is thermodynamically an open system and aging is characterized by an increasingly higher structural disorder (increase of entropy) and functional loss. If a variation of negative entropy is introduced by an external source, an anti-clockwise effect leading to regenerative processes and/or increase of the functional reserve supporting regenerative tissue changes is theoretically expected. The achievement of a negative variation of entropy is the main principle of a new technology which implies an exogenous delivery of energy with higher performance than the physiological production. Promising clinical experiences in liver cirrhosis and in long-standing scarring lesions seem to confirm the clinical applicability of the theoretical model.

Aging↗
PubMed2005

Metal-induced oxidative damage in cultured hepatocytes and hepatic lysosomal fraction: beneficial effect of a curcumin/absinthium compound.

OBJECTIVE: Metals undergo redox cycling and there is increasing evidence of free radical generation and oxidative injury in the pathogenesis of liver injury and fibrosis in metal storage diseases. The aim of the present study was to test a natural hepatoprotective compound in metal-induced liver injury. METHODS: Hepatocytes were isolated from Wistar rats by collagenase perfusion method and cultured as such and also with alpha-linolenic acid (LNA)-bovine serum albumin (BSA). Hepatocytes were then cultured with a graded dilution of PN-M001 (100 microg/mL and 200 microg/mL), which is a curcuma/absinthium-containing compound, or sylibin (100 microg/mL) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide for 10 min before the addition of metallic salts (iron, copper and vanadium). Lysosomal fractions were prepared for lysosome fragility tests in which beta-galactosidase activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage were measured, as well as oxidative damage tests in the presence of hydrophilic and lipophilic free radical generators. Quenching activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was also assessed. RESULTS: Malonildialdehyde accumulation in the medium showed a direct time-course increase with incubation time. Both PN-M001 and sylibin showed a significant protective effect against all challenge metal ions, as expressed by the half inhibition concentration (IC(50)) against lipid peroxidation. However, on a molar ratio, sylibin seemed to be more effective than PN-M001 in Fe-induced peroxidative damage (P < 0.05). Both test compounds, irrespective of the concentration, significantly reduced the LDH and beta-galactosidase concentration in the lysosomal fractions. As compared with untreated lysosomal fractions challenged with the two peroxide radicals generators, either PN-M001 or sylibin exerted significant protection However, PN-M001 was significantly better than sylibin in suppressing acid phosphatase enzyme activity. Both compounds showed comparable and significant DPPH radical-scavenging activity. CONCLUSION: These data support the potential clinical application of curcumin-containing compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

In view of an optimal gut antifungal therapeutic strategy: an in vitro susceptibility and toxicity study testing a novel phyto-compound.

OBJECTIVE: In view of the raising concern for gut fungal infection, the aim of the present research was to carry out a systematic in vitro study testing the antifungal activity and possible toxicity of a polygodyal-anethole compound (Kolorex) in several strains of Candida albicans and in other fungal pathogens. METHODS: The in vitro susceptibility tests were carried out on 4 strains of C. albicans (C. krusei, C. lipolytica, C. tropicalis, C. utilis), Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus. Cultures were also analyzed by varying medium, pH and inoculum size, and a time-course killing test was carried out. RESULTS: In the present study the polygodyal-anethole compound showed remarkable in vitro activity against the most common fungi, which was significantly better than polygodyal alone. Moreover, such mixture compound was shown to exert its activity against a wide spectrum of fungi, including C. lipolytica and C. tropicalis, which required significantly higher MIC of polygodyal to be unfeasible in clinical application. The activity of the polygodyal-anethole compound was significantly better than polygodyal alone with high inoculum size and low pH. Moreover, it proved to exert a significantly faster biological activity against low inoculum. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the mixture compound Kolorex has a very good profile of antifungal activity in terms of effectiveness and spectrum of action while being devoid of any significant toxicity.

Allylbenzene Derivatives↗
PubMed2005

Experimental acute alcohol pancreatitis-related liver damage and endotoxemia: synbiotics but not metronidazole have a protective effect.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the effect of gut manipulation by either novel synbiotics or by metronidazole on either endotoxemia or the severity of liver damage in the course of acute pancreatitis from alcohol ingestion. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 1 week through an intragastric tube a liquid diet with either: (i) 1 mL t.i.d. of a mixture of synbiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium in an enriched medium); (ii) 20 mg/kg t.i.d. metronidazole; or (iii) standard diet. Then, acute pancreatitis was induced by caerulein and when the disease was full-blown, rats were fed an alcohol-rich diet. Synbiotic and metronidazole treatment was given for a further 2 weeks. Transaminase and endotoxemia levels were measured before treatment, after 6 h, after 24 h and 2 weeks later, at the time the rats were killed. Liver samples were obtained for histological analysis. RESULTS: Synbiotics but not metronidazole improved the acute pancreatitis-induced increase in endotoxemia and transaminase levels. The addition of alcohol worsened these variables to a limited extent in the synbiotic-treated group, while metronidazole had a negative effect on liver damage. CONCLUSIONS: Gut flora pretreatment with synbiotics was able to effectively protect against endotoxin/bacterial translocation, as well as liver damage in the course of acute pancreatitis and concomitant heavy alcohol consumption. The beneficial effect of synbiotics on liver histology seems to be correlated with endotoxemia. Metronidazole did not produce such a beneficial effect; in fact, it further worsened liver damage when alcohol was added to the background of ongoing acute pancreatic inflammation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Single-blind follow-up study on the effectiveness of a symbiotic preparation in irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Experimental and clinical studies have shown that a novel symbiotic (known as SCM-III) exerts a beneficial effect on gut translocation and local and systemic inflammatory and microbial metabolic parameters. The present investigation was a preliminary trial on the effectiveness of SCM-III for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: Sixty-eight consecutive adult patients with IBS who were free from lactose malabsorption, abdominal surgery, overt psychiatric disorders and ongoing psychotropic drug therapy or ethanol abuse were studied prospectively and divided into 2 groups that were comparable for age, gender, body size, education and pattern of presenting symptoms. The 2 groups were blindly given for 12 weeks either SCM-III 10 mL t.i.d or the same dosage of heat-inactivated symbiotic. RESULTS: Treatment with SCM-III was 'effective' or 'very effective' in more than 80% of the patients (P < 0.01 vs baseline values and control). Less than 5% reported 'not effective' as the final evaluation compared with over 40% of patients in the control group. After 6 weeks of treatment, a significant improvement of pain and bloating was reported in the treatment group compared with control and baseline values. There was also a benefit for bowel habits, mostly for patients with constipation or alternating bowel habits. No overt clinical or biochemical adverse side-effects were recorded. CONCLUSION: Compared with baseline values and the control group, SCM-III resulted in a significant increase in lactobacilla, eubacteria and bifidobacteria, which suggests that some selected IBS patients could benefit substantially from symbiotics, but the treatment may need to be given on a cyclic schedule because of the temporary modification of the fecal flora.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The aging/precancerous gastric mucosa: a pilot nutraceutical trial.

The aim of this study was to test the effect of antioxidant supplementation on enzymatic abnormalities and free radical-modified DNA adducts associated with premalignant changes in the gastric mucosa of elderly patients with HP-negative atrophic gastritis (CAG). Sixty patients with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia underwent a nutritional interview and a gastroscopy with multiple biopsy samples in the antrum that were processed for histology and for assaying: alpha-tocopherol, MDA, xanthine oxidase (XO), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and 8-OHdG. Patients were randomly allocated into three matched groups and supplemented for 6 months with (1) vitamin E, 300 mg/day; (2) multivitamin, two tablets t.i.d.; and (3) Immun-Age 6 g/day nocte (ORI, Gifu, Japan), a certified fermented papaya preparation with basic science-validated antioxidant/immunomodulant properties. Ten dyspeptic patients served as controls. Histology and biochemistry were blindly repeated at 3 and 6 months. CAG patients showed a significantly (P <.05) increased level of mucosal MDA and XO concentration that were reverted to normal by each supplementation (P <.05). All supplements caused a significant decrease of ODC (P <.01), but Immun-Age yielded the most effective (P < 0.05) and was the only one significantly decreasing 8-OhdG (P < 0.05). These data suggest that antioxidant supplementation, and, namely, Immun-Age, might be potential chemopreventive agents in HP-eradicated CAG patients and especially in the elderly population.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2004

Cirrhosis progression as a model of accelerated senescence: affecting the biological aging clock by a breakthrough biophysical methodology.

To test new treatment modalities, a pilot study with a novel noninvasive biophysical methodology (Delta-S DVD) that can artificially exert a "decrease of entropy" through the patented electromagnetic-driven delivery of "energy clusters" was designed. This process has been modulated and integrated by the body as a "self" source to support the energy-dependent functional stores, thus modifying reparative into regenerative mechanisms of liver parenchyma. Seven long-standing hepatitis C virus-positive (Child A-B) cirrhosis patients with overt symptoms and portal hypertension and failure or side effects of antiviral drug treatment underwent 40-min sessions of Delta-S DVD daily for six months and were followed up monthly. At the end of the first month, rapid improvement of symptoms and a decrease of portal hypertension were noted. At the end of treatment, all patients showed either a complete (80%) or a partial (20%) regression of fatigue (FISK score), peripheral edema, pruritus, and palmar erythema. As observed, despite having stopped beta-blockers, F1 esophageal varices disappeared (60%), whereas F2 decreased to F1. The Doppler ultrasound aspect of partial (40%) or total (20%) atrophy was either reduced (60%) or reverted to normal (20%), and the respiratory dynamics of the portal vein improved (80%) or normalized (20%), whereas gross scarring nodules disappeared in 40% of cases. These promising data pave the way for an innovative physiopathological approach with extensive clinical applications.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma is multifactorial event. Novel immunological treatment in prospect.

PURPOSE: To discuss exhanstively: complex molecular and cellular mechanism in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC); effect of chronic inflammation and cirrhosis, accompained by regenerative process, on the development of HCC; genetic instability of liver cells of regenerating nodules; the relative role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatocarcinogenesis; tumorigenicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1); gene expression profiles in HCC; liver tumors and host defense; future perspectives of HCC treatment. DESIGN: We reviewed the most important studies on HCV. RESULTS: HCC is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and is one of the most common tumor in the world. In the majority of cases, HCC is found in conjunction with cirrhosis of the liver. Chronic inflammation and cirrhosis, accompagnied by regenerative process, function as a tumor promoter, providing a common pathway from chronic HBV or HCV infection to HCC. The direct etiologic role of HBV and HCV for HCC is obscure. Tumor progression may be brought about in HCC by mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The prevalences of p53 mutations is similar in HBV-associated and HCV-associated HCCs. Another mechanisms of host defense are the production of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), and the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes; the failure of there mechanisms permits the process of hepatocarcinogenesis. Treatment with alpha interferon of chronic hepatitis is necessary to delary or prevent the progression to liver cirrhosis and development of HCC. Various therapies, such radical operation, intra-arterial chemoembolization, percutaneous intratumoral ethanol injection, radio-frequency ablation, have been employed, but there is still non satisfactory treatment. Recent advances in recombinant and gene delivery thechnologies suggest that gene therapy may be a promising alternative to explore. Furthemore, immunotherapy may become a modality for patients with HCC. Clinical application of vaccine immunotherapy with NY-ESO-1 derived peptides in HLA-A2 positive HCC patients will be possible.

Aflatoxin B1↗
PubMed2004

Progressive liver injury in chronic hepatitis C infection is related to altered cellular immune response and to different citokine profile.

Natural immune responses, both cellular and humoral, are not capable of terminating HCV infection in most patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate: a) the importance of the immune system in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection; b) analysis of successful immunoresponses in persons infected with C virus; c) immuno mechanisms in the progression of hepatic damage; d) different cytokine profiles from patients with persistent and self-limited hepatitis C virus infection; e) development of new antiviral strategies when virus is resistant to interferon treatment. The inadequate T helper1 (Th1) immunity as well as the weak HCV-specific T-cell response at the site of inflammation is associated with failure to clear the virus and a chronic course of disease. The production of interleukin 12 (IL-12) is critical for induction of Th1 immunity, directed towards elimination of intracellular pathogenes and viruses. The core protein of HCV seems to have a suppressive action on IL-12 production at the transcriptional level. The specific Th1 cell defect is correlated with insufficient Th and CTL responses, and lower production of type 1 cytokine (IL-2, IFN-gamma, lymphokine-activated killer cells). Taken together, these results are probably responsible for non-eradication of HCV infection. Particularly the effects of interferon-gamma may include inhibition of HCV virion production by an effect on viral RNA and protein synthesis, enhancement of immune lysis of HCV infected cells, inhibition of hepatic fibrosis by an effect on TGF-beta, and an effect on HCV induced carcinogenesis. These data suggest an HCV-related cellular immune defect in patients with hepatitis C that can be restored in most patients by IL-12. New approaches using a combination of nucleoside analogs or other strategies, such as immune intervention (DNA vaccine, stimulation of the Th1 response) or gene therapy (antisense oligonucleotides dominant negative mutants) should therefore be evaluated in animal models to optimize the current antiviral protocols.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed2004

Hepatorenal syndrome.

PURPOSE: Discuss exhaustively the clinical aspects of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), laboratory data, the progress made in understanding the pathogenesis, and treatment. DESIGN: The work is a result of the research conducted in the framework of the most important studies on HRS. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Functional renal failure (FRF) is the most severe manifestation of hepatorenal syndrome, and becomes manifest with a decreased renal perfusion along with oliguresis, reduced excretion of sodium, high urinary osmolarity, azotemia and creatinemia. Liver transplantation restores normal renal function in patients affected by HRS; this suggests the functional origin of the disease. Portal hypertension determines systemic arterial vasodilatation (peripheral vasodilatation theory), with non absolute but effective hypovolemia in terms of its ability to release high circulating levels of vasoactive substances (PG vasodilators, endotoxins, nitric oxide, calcitonin-GPP, glucagon and PAF). Following vasodilatation, a number of systems are triggered to restore peripheral resistance, such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, the sympathetic systems and the antidiuretic hormone. In some subjects, the activation of these hormones is sufficient to restore resistance and fill the dilated vascular bed, with the subsequent inactivation of the systems themselves. Conversely, in a subgroup of cirrhosis patients with severe portal hypertension, the activation of water retention and vasoconstrictive systems is not sufficient to restore an effective volemia. These subjects present hypotension, effective hypovolemia, high renin levels, high norepinephrine levels and high antidiuretic hormone levels. These substances cause in a sequence, at the renal level, water and sodium retention, progressive vasoconstriction, reduction of plasma flow and GF, initially countered by intrarenal defense mechanisms such as PG, prostacyclins and callicreins. The FRF also sets in because the kidney, in its context, produces determinant endogenous ischemia-inducing substances like tromboxanes, endothelines and leukotrienes. Kidney transplantation is the only treatment.

Albumins↗
PubMed2003

High prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in a southern Italian rural region. Clinical aspects and evidence of inapparent parenteral exposure.

AIM: Infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) generally determines an asymptomatic acute hepatitis which becomes chronic in about 90% of cases. In order to contribute data on the prevalence and the transmission of HCV infection and its associated conditions, anti-HCV seropositivity records in a large sample of a population living in a rural area in Southern Italy were collected and examined. METHODS: Data were obtained from the registers of local general practitioners operating in 4 neighbouring countries which make up the region analysed. Information on established or potential risk factors for HCV transmission was obtained by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: More than half of the entire population of the examined region (19,800 subjects, 60%) had a record for an anti-HCV blood testing. Out of these 19,800 subjects, 2,213 were found to be seropositive, with a resulting overall anti-HCV prevalence higher than that reported for the whole country (11.1% vs 3%). Genotype 1b was the most commonly detected (86%). Anti-HCV prevalence was significantly higher in the 50-59 and 60-69 year age groups than in other age groups. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that blood transfusion, use of glass syringes, surgical interventions, promiscuous use of tooth-brush, promiscuous use of sharp-edged instruments and lowest number of years of schooling were all independent predictors of anti-HCV positive. No association was found with family history of liver disease and alcohol consumption. A total 46.6% of the subjects had chronic hepatitis, 24.4% had cirrhosis, 1.8% had hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis and 27.2% were "asymptomatic" (with normal serum ALT levels and no histological features of chronic hepatitis despite HCV viremia). CONCLUSION: The most striking result of the study was that the high levels of HCV endemicity was not frequently associated with apparent evidence of parenteral exposure, suggesting that HCV spread in the community can even occur mostly through inapparent parenteral routes.

Adult↗