Efficacy and safety of 12-weekly versus 4-weekly zoledronic acid for prolonged treatment of patients with bone metastases from breast cancer (ZOOM): a phase 3, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Zoledronic acid reduces skeletal-related events in patients with breast cancer, but concerns have been raised about prolonged monthly administration. We assessed the efficacy and safety of a reduced dosing frequency of zoledronic acid in women treated previously with monthly zoledronic acid.

Methods: We did this non-inferiority, phase 3 trial in 62 centres in Italy.

Mediterranean diet and cardioprotection: wild artichoke inhibits metalloproteinase 9.

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases responsible for the hydrolysis of various component of extracellular matrix such as gelatin and collagen. MMPs, namely MMP-2 and MMP-9 correlate with cardiovascular events in patients. We sought to determine whether supplementation with polyphenol-rich Cynara cardunculus (wild artichoke, traditional component of the Mediterranean diet) modulates MMP-9 expression and activity in cell cultures.

Thiol supplementation inhibits metalloproteinase activity independent of glutathione status.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that regulate both integrity and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Excessive ECM breakdown by MMPs is implicated in many physiological and pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis. Activated macrophages, especially in the atherosclerotic lesion, are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Hydroxytyrosol-rich olive mill wastewater extract protects brain cells in vitro and ex vivo.

Unlabelled: Elevated oxidative and nitrosative stress both impair the integrity and functioning of brain tissue, especially in aging. As long-term intake of plant foods rich in antioxidant phenolics, such as extra virgin olive oil, positively modulates surrogate markers of many human pathological alterations, the interest in cheap and abundant sources of such phenolics is rapidly growing. Olive mill wastewater is particularly rich in hydroxytyrosol, an o-diphenol with powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic activities.

Local food and cardioprotection: the role of phytochemicals.

For decades, most of the attention of nutritionists and health professionals has focused on the impact of the major dietary components, such as the amounts and types of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and fibers, on human health. However, interest in the role of minor components is rapidly growing. Many constituents of plants are non-nutritional compounds that play key roles in plant physiology and interactions with the environment.

Postprandial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of extra virgin olive oil.

High postprandial serum lipid concentrations are associated with increased oxidative stress which, in turn, increases the risk of atherosclerosis. Epidemiological studies correlate lower incidence of cardiovascular disease with adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in inflammatory (TXB(2) and LTB(4)) and oxidative stress markers (urinary hydrogen peroxide levels and serum antioxidant capacity), in addition to classic lipid parameters, after a fat-rich meal administered to 12 normolipemic, healthy subjects.

Vasomodulating potential of mediterranean wild plant extracts.

The incidence of cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction is low in the Mediterranean area, where the major proportion of daily calories comes from plant food, high in antioxidant polyphenols. It has been shown that a reduced production or enhanced inactivation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the onset of endothelial dysfunction. We investigated the effects of Mediterranean wild plant, that is, wild artichoke and thyme, phenolic-rich extracts on NO release by porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs; by using indirect methods) and by cerebral cell membrane homogenates (by using direct NO detection).