Beneficial Effects Induced by a Proprietary Blend of a New Bromelain-Based Polyenzymatic Complex Plus N-Acetylcysteine in Urinary Tract Infections: Results from In Vitro and Ex Vivo Studies.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections that involve the urethra, bladder, and, in much more severe cases, even kidneys. These infections represent one of the most common diseases worldwide. Various pathogens are responsible for this condition, the most common being ().

Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects induced by an aqueous aged black garlic extract in rodent models of ulcerative colitis and colitis-associated visceral pain.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a morbid condition characterized by relapsing-remitting inflammation of the colon, accompanied by persistent gut dysmotility and abdominal pain. Different reports demonstrated biological activities of aged black garlic (ABG), including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. We aimed to investigate beneficial effects exerted by ABGE on colon inflammation by using ex vivo and in vivo experimental models.

Exploring the Immunomodulatory Potential of Pancreatic Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles through Proteomic and Functional Analyses.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis and displays resistance to immunotherapy. A better understanding of tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) effects on immune responses might contribute to improved immunotherapy. EVs derived from Capan-2 and BxPC-3 PC cells isolated by ultracentrifugation were characterized by atomic force microscopy, Western blot (WB), nanoparticle tracking analysis, and label-free proteomics.

Effects of GHRH Deficiency and GHRH Antagonism on Emotional Disorders in Mice.

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) has been suggested to play a crucial role in brain function. We aimed to further investigate the effects of a novel GHRH antagonist of the Miami (MIA) series, MIA-602, on emotional disorders and explore the relationships between the endocrine system and mood disorders. In this context, the effects induced by MIA-602 were also analyzed in comparison to vehicle-treated mice with GH deficiency due to generalized ablation of the GHRH gene (GHRH knock out (GHRHKO)).

Prognostic value of gender and primary tumor location in metastatic colon cancer.

Sex might influence prognosis in patients affected by colorectal cancer. We retrospectively studied a cohort of patients affected by metastatic colon cancer (mCC) stratified by sex and primary tumor location. RAS mutational status was also included in the analysis.

Anti-Inflammatory and Vasorelaxant Effects Induced by an Aqueous Aged Black Garlic Extract Supplemented with Vitamins D, C, and B12 on Cardiovascular System.

Multiple studies demonstrated biological activities of aged black garlic, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardioprotective effects. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of an aged black garlic water extract (ABGE) alone or in association with multivitamins consisting of combined Vitamins D, C, and B12, on mouse heart specimens exposed to E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and WAT/BAT-Conversion Stimulation Induced by Novel PPAR Ligands: Results from Ex Vivo and In Vitro Studies.

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) not only regulates multiple metabolic pathways, but mediates various biological effects related to inflammation and oxidative stress. We investigated the effects of four new PPAR ligands containing a fibrate scaffold-the PPAR agonists ( (αEC 1.0 μM) and (γEC 0.

CAR-T-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Promising Development of CAR-T Anti-Tumor Therapy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogenous population of plasma membrane-surrounded particles that are released in the extracellular milieu by almost all types of living cells. EVs are key players in intercellular crosstalk, both locally and systemically, given that they deliver their cargoes (consisting of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, miRNAs, and DNA fragments) to target cells, crossing biological barriers. Those mechanisms further trigger a wide range of biological responses.

Resveratrol Derivative Exhibits Marked Antiproliferative Actions, Affecting Stemness in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies, with an increasing incidence and limited response to current therapeutic options. Therefore, more effective and low-toxic agents are needed to improve PC patients' outcomes. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol with multiple biological properties, including anticancer effects.

Flow Cytometry Detection of Anthracycline-Treated Breast Cancer Cells: An Optimized Protocol.

The use of anthracycline derivatives was approved for the treatment of a broad spectrum of human tumors (i.e., breast cancer).

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects Induced by L. Extracts on an Ex Vivo Experimental Model of Ulcerative Colitis.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic and multifactorial inflammatory conditions of the colonic mucosa (ulcerative colitis), characterized by increased and unbalanced immune response to external stimuli. Garlic and its bioactive constituents were reported to exert various biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. We aimed to evaluate the protective effects of a hydroalcoholic (GHE) and a water (GWE) extract from a Sicilian variety of garlic, known as Nubia red garlic, on an ex vivo experimental model of ulcerative colitis, involving isolated LPS-treated mouse colon specimens.

A grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace water extract modulates inflammatory and immune response in SW-480 cells and isolated mouse colon.

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace is a residue derived from the winemaking process, which contains bioactive compounds displaying noteworthy health-promoting properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenolic composition and protective effects of a water extract of grape pomace (WEGP) in colorectal cancer cell line SW480 and in isolated mouse colon exposed to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Blood Circulating CD133+ Extracellular Vesicles Predict Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most incident and lethal malignancies worldwide. Recent treatment advances prolonged survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, there are still few biomarkers to guide clinical management and treatment selection in mCRC.

Antagonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone MIA-690 attenuates the progression and inhibits growth of colorectal cancer in mice.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an aggressive tumor in which new treatment options deliver negative results on cure rates and long-term survival. The anticancer effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonists have been reported in various experimental tumors, but their activity in CRC is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that chronic treatment with GHRH antagonist of MIAMI class, MIA-690, promoted survival and gradually blunted tumor progression in experimentally induced colitis-associated cancer in mice, paralleled by reduced inflammation in colon tissue.

Drug Repurposing, an Attractive Strategy in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: Preclinical and Clinical Updates.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, since patients rarely display symptoms until an advanced and unresectable stage of the disease. Current chemotherapy options are unsatisfactory and there is an urgent need for more effective and less toxic drugs to improve the dismal PC therapy. Repurposing of non-oncology drugs in PC treatment represents a very promising therapeutic option and different compounds are currently being considered as candidates for repurposing in the treatment of this tumor.

Protective Effects Induced by a Hydroalcoholic Extract in Isolated Mouse Heart.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of a garlic hydroalcoholic extract on the burden of oxidative stress and inflammation occurring on mouse heart specimens exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a well-established inflammatory stimulus. Headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) technique was applied to determine the volatile fraction of the garlic powder, and the HS-SPME conditions were optimized for each of the most representative classes of compounds. CIEL*a*b* colorimetric analyses were performed on the powder sample at the time of delivery, after four and after eight months of storage at room temperature in the dark, to evaluate the color changing.

Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor antagonist MIA-602 in mice with emotional disorders: a potential treatment for PTSD.

Anxiety and depression have been suggested to increase the risk for post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). A link between all these mental illnesses, inflammation and oxidative stress is also well established. Recent behavior studies by our group clearly demonstrate a powerful anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of a novel growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist of MIAMI class, MIA-690, probably related to modulatory effects on the inflammatory and oxidative status.

Screening of Benzimidazole-Based Anthelmintics and Their Enantiomers as Repurposed Drug Candidates in Cancer Therapy.

Repurposing of approved non-antitumor drugs represents a promising and affordable strategy that may help to increase the repertoire of effective anticancer drugs. Benzimidazole-based anthelmintics are antiparasitic drugs commonly employed both in human and veterinary medicine. Benzimidazole compounds are being considered for drug repurposing due to antitumor activities displayed by some members of the family.

Exosomes as Pleiotropic Players in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) incidence is rising and due to late diagnosis, combined with unsatisfactory response to current therapeutic approaches, this tumor has an extremely high mortality rate. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying pancreatic carcinogenesis is of paramount importance for rational diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Multiple lines of evidence have showed that exosomes are actively involved in intercellular communication by transferring their cargos of bioactive molecules to recipient cells within the tumor microenvironment and systemically.

Phenotypic and Proteomic Analysis Identifies Hallmarks of Blood Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in NSCLC Responders to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) induce durable clinical responses only in a subset of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. There is a need to identify mechanisms of ICI resistance and immunotherapy biomarkers to improve clinical benefit. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic and predictive value of circulating endothelial and leukocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents.

Protective effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone analogs in DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Besides its metabolic and endocrine effects, growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) is involved in the modulation of inflammation. Recently synthetized GHRH antagonist MIA-690 and MR-409, GHRH agonist, developed by us have shown potent pharmacological effects in various experimental paradigms. However, whether their administration modify resistance to chronic inflammatory stimuli in colon is still unknown.

Enhanced Expression of in B Cells of CLL Improves the Anti-Tumor Cytotoxic T Cell Response.

The clinical progression of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with immune cell dysfunction and a strong decrease of (), promoting the death of CLL cells. Here we investigated whether the reduction of impairs the immune response in CLL. We demonstrate that activated CD4+ T cells increase expression in CLL through CD40-CD40L signaling, which enhances the maturation and activity of cytotoxic T cells and, consequently, the apoptotic response of CLL cells.

Relationship between and mutations and mRNA expression in breast and ovarian cancer predisposition.

The aetiology of breast and ovarian cancer (BC/OC) is multi-factorial. At present, the involvement of base excision repair (BER) glycosylases (MUTYH and OGG1) in BC/OC predisposition is controversial. The present study investigated whether germline mutation status and mRNA expression of two BER genes, and , were correlated with in 59 patients with BC/OC and 50 matched population controls.