Publications by authors named "Annunziata G Cicatiello"

Muscle and adipose tissue (AT) are in mutual interaction through the integration of endocrine and biochemical signals, thus regulating whole-body function and physiology. Besides a traditional view of endocrine relationships that imply the release of cytokines and growth factors, it is becoming increasingly clear that a metabolic network involving metabolites as signal molecules also exists between the two tissues. By elevating the number and functionality of mitochondria, a key role in muscle metabolism is played by the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), that induces a fiber type shift from glycolytic to oxidative myofibers.

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To study the expression of histone methyltransferase SMYD1 in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue and during differentiation of preadipocytes to white and beige phenotypes. C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (and exposed to cold) and 3T3-L1 cells stimulated to differentiate into white and beige adipocytes were used. SMYD1 expression increased in WAT of high-fat diet fed mice and in WAT and brown adipose tissue of cold-exposed mice, suggesting its role in thermogenesis.

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Peripheral nerve injuries lead to severe functional impairments and long recovery times, with limited effectiveness and accessibility of current treatments. This has increased interest in natural bioactive compounds, such as ursolic acid (UA). Our study evaluated the effect of an oleolyte rich in UA from white grape pomace (WGPO) on neuronal regeneration in mice with induced sciatic nerve resection, administered concurrently with the induced damage (the WGPO group) and 10 days prior (the PRE-WGPO group).

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Skeletal muscle (SkM) lipid composition plays an essential role in physiological muscle maintenance and exercise performance. Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate muscle formation and fuel energy utilization by modulating carbohydrates and lipid and protein metabolism. The best-known effects of THs in SkM include the promotion of mitochondrial biogenesis, the fiber-type switch from oxidative to glycolytic fibers, and enhanced angiogenesis.

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The Thyroid Hormone (TH) activating enzyme, type 2 Deiodinase (D2), is functionally required to elevate the TH concentration during cancer progression to advanced stages. However, the mechanisms regulating D2 expression in cancer still remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the cell stress sensor and tumor suppressor p53 silences D2 expression, thereby lowering the intracellular THs availability.

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The iodothyronine deiodinases constitute a family of three selenoenzymes regulating the intracellular metabolism of Thyroid Hormones (THs, T4 and T3) and impacting on several physiological processes, including energy metabolism, development and cell differentiation. The type 1, 2 and 3 deiodinases (D1, D2, and D3), are sensitive, rate-limiting components within the TH axis, and rapidly control TH action in physiological conditions or disease. Notably, several human pathologies are characterized by deiodinases deregulation (e.

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Ischemic stroke is one of the leading global causes of neurological morbidity and decease. Its etiology depends on multiple events such as cardiac embolism, brain capillaries occlusion and atherosclerosis, which ultimately culminate in blood flow interruption, incurring hypoxia and nutrient deprivation. Thyroid hormones (THs) are pleiotropic modulators of several metabolic pathways, and critically influence different aspects of tissues development.

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Skeletal muscle is a key energy-regulating organ, skilled in rapidly boosting the rate of energy production and substrate consumption following increased workload demand. The alteration of skeletal muscle metabolism is directly associated with numerous pathologies and disorders. Thyroid hormones (THs) and their receptors (TRs, namely, TRα and TRβ) exert pleiotropic functions in almost all cells and tissues.

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Thyroid hormones (THs) are key metabolic regulators coordinating short- and long-term energy needs. In skeletal muscle, THs modulate energy metabolism in pathophysiological conditions. Indeed, hypo- and hyperthyroidism are leading causes of muscle weakness and strength; however, the metabolic pathways underlying these effects are still poorly understood.

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Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer in males and the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The majority of PCas are androgen-sensitive, with a significant up-regulation of Androgen Receptor (AR) that causes a stimulatory effect on growth and progression of cancer cells. For this reason, the first-line therapy for PCa is androgen ablation, even if it ultimately fails due to the onset of hormone-refractory state, in which the malignant cells do not sense the androgen signal anymore.

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Thyroid hormones (THs) are key regulators of different biological processes. Their action involves genomic and non-genomic mechanisms, which together mediate the final effects of TH in target tissues. However, the proportion of the two processes and their contribution to the TH-mediated effects are still poorly understood.

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Cancer angiogenesis is required to support energetic demand and metabolic stress, particularly during conditions of hypoxia. Coupled to neo-vasculogenesis, cancer cells rewire metabolic programs to sustain growth, survival and long-term maintenance. Thyroid hormone (TH) signaling regulates growth and differentiation in a variety of cell types and tissues, thus modulating hyper proliferative processes such as cancer.

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The type 2 deiodinase (DIO2) converts thyroxine to 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3), modulating intracellular T3. An increase in DIO2 within muscle stem cells during skeletal muscle regeneration leads to T3-dependent potentiation of differentiation. The muscle stem cell niche comprises numerous cell types, which coordinate the regeneration process.

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Type 2 deiodinase (D2), the principal activator of thyroid hormone (TH) signaling in target tissues, is expressed in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) during late tumorigenesis, and its repression attenuates the invasiveness and metastatic spread of SCC. Although D2 plays multiple roles in cancer progression, nothing is known about the mechanisms regulating D2 in cancer. To address this issue, we investigated putative upstream regulators of D2 in keratinocyte carcinomas.

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Thyroid hormones (THs) are key regulators of development, tissue differentiation, and maintenance of metabolic balance in virtually every cell of the body. Accordingly, severe alteration of TH action during fetal life leads to permanent deficits in humans. The skin is among the few adult tissues expressing the oncofetal protein type 3 deiodinase (D3), the TH inactivating enzyme.

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Epithelial tumor progression often involves epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We report that increased intracellular levels of thyroid hormone (TH) promote the EMT and malignant evolution of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. TH induces the EMT by transcriptionally up-regulating ZEB-1, mesenchymal genes and metalloproteases and suppresses E-cadherin expression.

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Thyroid hormone (TH) is a key metabolic regulator that acts by coordinating short- and long-term energy needs. Accordingly, significant metabolic changes are observed depending on thyroid status. Although it is established that hyperthyroidism augments basal energy consumption, thus resulting in an enhanced metabolic state, the net effects on cellular respiration and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remain unclear.

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Thyroid hormones (THs) are key determinants of cellular metabolism and regulate a variety of pathways that are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in several target tissues. Notably, hyperthyroidism induces a hyper-metabolic state characterized by increased resting energy expenditure, reduced cholesterol levels, increased lipolysis and gluconeogenesis followed by weight loss, whereas hypothyroidism induces a hypo-metabolic state characterized by reduced energy expenditure, increased cholesterol levels, reduced lipolysis and gluconeogenesis followed by weight gain. Thyroid hormone is also a key regulator of mitochondria respiration and biogenesis.

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Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate ( L.) peel and juice, against the microorganisms considered the main etiologic agents of dental caries.

Methods: The values of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined against Clarke ATCC® 25175™ strain and clinical isolate.

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In contrast to the widely accepted consensus of the existence of a single RNA polymerase in bacteria, several actinomycetes have been recently shown to possess two forms of RNA polymerases due the to co-existence of two rpoB paralogs in their genome. However, the biological significance of the rpoB duplication is obscure. In this study we have determined the genome sequence of the lipoglycopeptide antibiotic A40926 producer Nonomuraea gerenzanensis ATCC 39727, an actinomycete with a large genome and two rpoB genes, i.

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This report describes a case of congenital toxoplasmosis in a newborn in Southern Italy. A pregnant mother had been admitted at the 20th week of her pregnancy on account of pharyngodynia and laterocervical lymphadenopathy. Although serological testing of the mother's serum documented a seroconversion with positive IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies during II trimester, the woman refused to perform prenatal diagnosis for congenital toxoplasmosis.

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Tumor formation and maintenance depend on a small fraction of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can self-renew and generate a wide variety of differentiated cells. CSCs are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, and can represent a reservoir of cancer cells that often cause relapse after treatment. Evidence suggests that CSCs also give rise to metastases.

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