Publications by authors named "Giancarlo Aldini"

Background/objectives: In vitro studies suggest that carnosine reduces inflammation by upregulating anti-inflammatory mediators and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, human clinical trials examining the effects of carnosine on inflammatory biomarkers are scant. We conducted a secondary analysis of a double-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effects of carnosine supplementation on inflammatory markers and adipokines in participants with prediabetes or well-controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D).

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Evidence suggests that polyphenol-rich foods like berries may help counteract aging-related disorders such as vascular dysfunction and arterial stiffness. However, few intervention studies have been conducted in older adults. This study aimed to assess whether the consumption of blueberries may improve vascular function in older subjects.

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5-(3',4'-Dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone (VL) is a bioactive metabolite resulting from the gut microbial metabolism of proanthocyanidins and flavonoids, known for its health-promoting effects, including antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. Although VL has been observed in different in vivo studies, its pre-absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity (ADMET) properties have rarely been investigated. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the pre-ADMET properties of VL for the first time.

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Integrity of epithelial and endothelial cell barriers is of critical importance for health, barrier disruption is a hallmark of numerous diseases, of which many are driven by carbonyl stressors such as methylglyoxal (MG). Carnosine and anserine exert some MG-quenching activity, but the impact of these and of other histidine containing dipeptides on cell barrier integrity has not been explored in detail. In human proximal tubular (HK-2) and umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells, exposure to 200 µM MG decreased transepithelial resistance (TER), i.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the effects of inhaled carnosine on mice exposed to cigarette smoke, simulating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), by administering various doses (10, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day).
  • It was found that inhaled carnosine reduced lung inflammation and oxidative stress caused by cigarette smoke, with the most significant effects observed at the highest dose (100 mg/kg), particularly affecting specific inflammatory cytokines.
  • A deeper analysis revealed that carnosine notably reversed many COPD-related pathways and upregulated key enzymes involved in cellular defense mechanisms, emphasizing its potential therapeutic role in managing oxidative stress and inflammation in lung tissue.
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Replacing cereals with food leftovers could reduce feed-food competition and keep nutrients and energy in the food chain. Former food products (FFPs) are industrial food leftovers no more intended for human but still suitable as alternative and sustainable feedstuffs for monogastric. In this study, omics approaches were applied to evaluate the impact of dietary FFPs on pig liver proteome and plasma peptidome.

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Background: The viral main protease (M) of SARS-CoV-2 has been recently proposed as a key target to inhibit virus replication in the host. Therefore, molecules that can bind the catalytic site of M could be considered as potential drug candidates in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Here we proposed the application of a state-of-the-art analytical platform which combines metabolomics and protein structure analysis to fish-out potential active compounds deriving from a natural matrix, i.

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Policosanols (PCs) are bioactive compounds extracted from different natural waxes. In this work, the purification, characterization and assessment of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity was carried out on PCs from an innovative source, i.e.

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Vector-borne parasitic diseases (VBPDs) pose a significant threat to public health on a global scale. Collectively, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Leishmaniasis, and Malaria threaten millions of people, particularly in developing countries. Climate change might alter the transmission and spread of VBPDs, leading to a global burden of these diseases.

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease associated with obesity and diabetes prevalence. The use of natural compounds has become an attractive approach to prevent NAFLD and its progression. Gamma-oryzanol (Orz) is a natural compound whose beneficial effects on chronic metabolic diseases have been reported.

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Deuterated proanthocyanidin metabolite 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone has been successfully produced. This metabolite is responsible for several proanthocyanidin protective effects in the field of cancer chemoprevention, skin wrinkle-prevention, and antimicrobials. The synthetic approach applied employs a short reaction sequence and allows the incorporation of four deuterium atoms on non-exchangeable sites, making it an attractive strategy to produce a stable isotopically labeled internal standard for quantitative mass spectrometry isotope dilution-based methods, as demonstrated by developing an LC-MS/MS method to quantify DHPV in urine samples.

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The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is closely related to westernized dietary (WD) patterns, displays a rising epidemiological and economic burden. Since there is no pharmacological therapy approved for this disease, mechanistic studies are warranted. In this work, we investigated the action of carnosine (CAR), a natural dipeptide with several protection roles against oxidative stress in the liver of NAFLD rats.

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Cancer spreading through metastatic processes is one of the major causes of tumour-related mortality. Metastasis is a complex phenomenon which involves multiple pathways ranging from cell metabolic alterations to changes in the biophysical phenotype of cells and tissues. In the search for new effective anti-metastatic agents, we modulated the chemical structure of the lead compound AA6, in order to find the structural determinants of activity, and to identify the cellular target responsible of the downstream anti-metastatic effects observed.

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Article Synopsis
  • A high-sugar and high-fat diet is linked to a liver condition called Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which leads to increased fat accumulation in the liver.
  • In a study with rats, carnosine (CAR) was administered to evaluate its effects on MASLD, comparing groups on normal diets and high-caloric diets.
  • Results showed that CAR treatment reduced fat and cholesterol levels in the liver, improved metabolic markers, and could potentially be a therapeutic option for controlling MASLD.
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Recent evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species play an important causative role in the onset and progression of valvular diseases. Here, we analyzed the oxidative modifications of albumin (HSA) occurring on Cysteine 34 and the antioxidant capacity of the serum in 44 patients with severe aortic stenosis (36 patients underwent aortic valve replacement and 8 underwent a second aortic valve substitution due to a degenerated bioprosthetic valve), and in 10 healthy donors (controls). Before surgical intervention, patients showed an increase in the oxidized form of albumin (HSA-Cys), a decrease in the native reduced form (HSA-SH), and a significant reduction in serum free sulfhydryl groups and in the total serum antioxidant activity.

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Context: Carnosine and histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) are suggested to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative benefits, but their effects on circulating adipokines and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers remain unclear.

Objectives: The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the impact of HCD supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers.

Data Sources: A systematic search was performed on Medline via Ovid, Scopus, Embase, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to 25 January 2023.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined the impact of a high-calorie diet on oxidative stress in the retinas of Wistar rats, comparing it to a standard diet and assessing the potential protective effects of carnosine supplementation.
  • Rats were divided into four groups for analysis: those on a standard diet, a high-calorie diet, a standard diet with carnosine, and a high-calorie diet with carnosine, measuring various health markers and oxidative stress markers.
  • The findings indicated that a high-calorie diet increased harmful oxidative markers in the retina, while carnosine supplementation did not effectively reduce these oxidative effects.
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Diet can modulate the different stages of inflammation due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. Apples are a great source of phenolic compounds that show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and these might be used as a dietary supplement and/or functional element in the treatment of chronic inflammatory illnesses. The aim of our study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions of thinned apple polyphenol (TAP) extracts in a model of paw edema.

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The lipid profile of skin is fundamental in the maintenance of the protective barrier against the external environment. Signaling and constitutive lipids of this large organ are involved in inflammation, metabolism, aging, and wound healing, such as phospholipids, triglycerides, FFA, and sphingomyelin. Skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation results in a photoaging process that is an accelerated form of aging.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study focuses on creating a sustainable raw material called powdered bergamot juice (PBJ) from by-products of industrial bergamot essential oil production, using a spray-drying method that preserves bioactive components while avoiding costly chemical processes.
  • - PBJ is rich in bioactive compounds, including soluble fibers, polyphenols, and various amino acids, with 86 identified compounds through analysis, showing anti-inflammatory properties and benefits in an animal model of metabolic syndrome triggered by a high-sugar, high-fat diet.
  • - The research suggests that PBJ's effectiveness in managing metabolic syndrome may stem from its bergamot polyphenols, dietary fibers, and other constituents, indicating a need for further exploration into its role in energy regulation and food
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Ionising radiation (IR) is a cause of lipid peroxidation, and epidemiological data have revealed a correlation between exposure to IR and the development of eye lens cataracts. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness around the world. The plasma membranes of lens fibre cells are one of the most cholesterolrich membranes in the human body, forming lipid rafts and contributing to the biophysical properties of lens fibre plasma membrane.

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Low-grade chronic inflammation in obesity is associated with leptin resistance. In order to alleviate this pathological condition, bioactive compounds capable of attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation have been researched, and bergamot (Citrus bergamia) presents these properties. The aim was to evaluate the effect of bergamot leaves extract on leptin resistance in obese rats.

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Dermis fibroblasts are very sensitive to penetrating UVA radiation and induce photo-damage. To protect skin cells against this environmental damage, there is an urgent need for effective compounds, specifically targeting UVA-induced mitochondrial injury. This study aimed to analyze the effect of carnosine on the proteome of UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblast, cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) biological system recapitulating dermal compartment as a test system to investigate the altered cellular pathways after 48 h and 7 days of culture with or without carnosine treatment.

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Plant secondary metabolites, known as phytochemicals, have recently gained much attention in light of the "circular economy", to reutilize waste products deriving from agriculture and food industry. Phytochemicals are known for their onco-preventive and chemoprotective effects, among several other beneficial properties. Apple phytochemicals have been extensively studied for their effectiveness in a wide range of diseases, cancer included.

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Very recently, we have developed a new generation of ligands targeting the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R), namely compounds, which combine the pharmacophoric portion of the CB2R positive allosteric modulator (PAM), , with that of the CB2R selective orthosteric agonist , both synthesized in our laboratories. The functional examination enabled us to identify , , and as the most promising compounds of the series. In the current study, we focused on the assessment of the bitopic (dualsteric) nature of these three compounds.

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