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Biomedical subjects

F Bianchini

Publications and source records attributed to F Bianchini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

HCV liver infection and liver steatosis: evidence for indirect mechanisms in genotype 3?

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with the appearance of liver steatosis. AIM: To search for a correlation between the number of HCV infected hepatocytes and the presence, amount and distribution of steatosis. METHODS: A total of 124 frozen liver biopsies from HCV patients (genotype 3 = 21) were studied. HCV-antigens were detected on frozen liver sections using a four steps immunoperoxidase technique. Steatosis was graded by haematoxilin-eosin counterstaining on a serial section. RESULTS: Steatosis was detected in 82 of 124 (66.1%) patients without differences between different genotypes. Uric acid, body mass index, gammaGT levels significantly correlated with steatosis in non-3 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) but not in genotype 3 patients. HCV-antigens were detected in 95 of 124 (76.6%) cases. A positive correlation between steatosis and the number of infected hepatocytes was observed only in genotype 3 patients (P = 0.06). In most cases the number of cells with steatosis greatly outnumbered that of HCV infected cells. CONCLUSION: We confirm a possible role of the virus in the genesis of steatosis in HCV genotype 3 infected patients; however, as steatosis do not appear to be directly related to the presence of HCV-antigens within single hepatocytes, an indirect, possibly cytokine mediated, mechanism might be operative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Wine and resveratrol: mechanisms of cancer prevention?

Low alcohol consumption seems to decrease total mortality and to have beneficial properties on cardiovascular disease; data for cancer are still inconclusive. There is evidence that wine consumption decreases the risk of cancer at several sites, including cancer of upper digestive tract, lung, colon, basal cell carcinoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The presence of resveratrol, a polyphenol specifically present in red wine, may contribute to these cancer preventive effects. Resveratrol in fact inhibits the metabolic activation of carcinogens, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, decreases cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Data on the availability of resveratrol in vivo are however still lacking. Although regular consumption of one or two glasses of wine seems reasonably safe from the health point of view, a recommendation to the general population for low wine consumption is not justified.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2001

Plasma carotenoids in relation to food consumption in Granada (southern Spain) and Malmö (southern Sweden).

We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study on healthy pre-menopausal women (aged 45-50 years) living in Granada, in the south of Spain (n = 39) and Malmö, in the south of Sweden (n = 38) in order to compare their plasma carotenoid levels and to investigate the relationship between the differences in food consumption. Plasma concentrations of six carotenoids were measured using high performance liquid chromatography, habitual diet (at individual level) was estimated by food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour diet recalls were used for standardised measurement of diet at group-level. We found that women in Granada consumed more fruit and vegetables than women in Malmö. Plasma concentrations of beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, zeaxanthin, total carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol were higher in Granada than in Malmö, although plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene and retinol were higher in Malmö. Both within and between study centres, consumption of fruit and vegetables correlated positively with plasma concentrations of different carotenoids. The study showed that differences in consumption of fruit and vegetables between the two European centres were reflected in plasma carotenoid concentrations.

Carotenoids↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of fatty acid profile in plasma phospholipids in women from Granada (southern Spain) and Malmö (southern Sweden).

We conducted a first pilot study on healthy women living in two countries with different dietary habits, Granada in the south of Spain and Malmö in the south of Sweden, in order to compare their levels of plasma phospholipid fatty acids, and to examine the relationship between the differences in food consumption. This study is part of a pilot study which is nested in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, a multi-centre prospective cohort study on diet, plasma concentrations of antioxidants and fatty acids, and markers of oxidative stress. Thirty-nine women in Granada and thirty-eight women in Malmö, aged 45-50 years (all pre-menopausal) were selected among the female participants in the cohorts from these two countries. Individual measurements of the women's habitual diet were obtained by a food frequency questionnaire. 24-hour diet recalls were used for the standardised measurement of diet at group level. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition was determined by capillary gas chromatography. We found a different fatty acid profile in plasma between the two populations, with higher mean levels of palmitic acid (16:0), palmitoleic acid (16:1) (n-7), oleic acid (18:1), alpha-linolenic acid (18:3) (n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) (n-3), and lower mean levels of stearic acid (18:0) in Malmö compared to Granada. Women in Malmö consumed more meat, alcoholic beverages and sugar, and less fish and shellfish than women in Granada. We conclude that the fatty acid composition in plasma phospholipids is different between women from the two European centres. For polyunsaturated fatty acids, differences were observed for (n-3) fatty acids. In relation to these differences, we observed that specific food intakes, particularly meat and fish, varied between the two centres.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2001

Prevention of disease with pharmaceuticals.

The idea that diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer can be prevented by taking a 'pill' is attractive to many people. Chemoprevention is an established method in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarct and stroke. Clinical trials have demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that both fatal and non-fatal coronary events and strokes can be prevented. Antihypertensive drugs have been shown to be effective through clinical trials in preventing myocardial infarctions, stroke and other cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Statins are commonly used to lower the blood cholesterol concentration, and aspirin is widely used to prevent occlusive vascular disease. Aspirin and other non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents have shown promise in the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer. While observational epidemiological studies have consistently suggested that diets rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene might be useful in preventing coronary heart disease and cancer, the published reports of randomized trials clearly indicate that beta-carotene supplements are of no value in persons of high risk for such conditions. Although the chemoprevention of cancer is decades behind that of cardiovascular disease, there is no reason to believe that progress in cancer chemoprevention will differ substantially from that in cardiovascular disease. Better understanding of the molecular steps critical to carcinogenesis should open new avenues for cancer chemoprevention.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Inverse correlation between alcohol consumption and lymphocyte levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in humans.

In a cross-sectional study of 115 premenopausal non-smoking women, we examined the relationship between lymphocyte levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) and habitual alcohol consumption. The study was conducted in four different regions of Europe, including Potsdam (Germany), Turin (Italy), Malmö (Sweden) and Granada (Spain). Mean 8-oxodGuo levels differed significantly across study centres (P = 0.001), with the highest levels in Granada [2.17 8-oxodGuox10(-6) 2'-deoxyguanosine (95% confidence interval 1.27-4.40)] and lowest levels in Turin [1.19 (0.36-4.29)]. Mean levels of total alcohol intake and of types of alcoholic beverages consumed (wine, fortified wines, beer and cider) also differed across the study centres (P < 0.05), with the highest total alcohol consumption in Turin, and the lowest intake in GRANADA: When combining all the data, but adjusting for study centre, individual 8-oxodGuo level correlated inversely with alcohol intake. This inverse association remained unaltered after further adjustment for Quetelet Index, fruit and vegetable consumption, and plasma carotenoid levels. Furthermore, the inverse association was also observed for each of the study centres separately, and for different beverage types, with the exception of Granada, where the majority of women were non-drinkers and where alcohol intakes were also very low for the consumers. Finally, on a group level, mean levels of 8-oxodGuo and alcohol intake were also inversely associated between the four study centres. The finding of a relationship between alcohol consumption and 8-oxodGuo in lymphocytes was unexpected and not based on a prior hypothesis. This finding consequently requires confirmation from a randomized intervention study.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of cancer-preventive agents and strategies a new program at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

About five years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) initiated a new program, IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, aimed at evaluating the evidence base for the cancer-preventive activity of various agents and strategies. To date (2001) 5 volumes have been published--1. Non-steroidalAnti-inflammatory Drugs, 2. Carotenoids, 3. Vitamin A, 4. Retinoids, and 5. Sunscreens--and volume 6 (Weight Control and Physical Activity) is in press. Future volumes will include evaluations of breast cancer screening (vol. 7) and fruits and vegetables (vol. 8).

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed2001

Allium vegetables and organosulfur compounds: do they help prevent cancer?

Allium vegetables have been shown to have beneficial effects against several diseases, including cancer. Garlic, onions, leeks, and chives have been reported to protect against stomach and colorectal cancers, although evidence for a protective effect against cancer at other sites, including the breast, is still insufficient. The protective effect appears to be related to the presence of organosulfur compounds and mainly allyl derivatives, which inhibit carcinogenesis in the forestomach, esophagus, colon, mammary gland, and lung of experimental animals. The exact mechanisms of the cancer-preventive effects are not clear, although several hypotheses have been proposed. Organosulfur compounds modulate the activity of several metabolizing enzymes that activate (cytochrome P450s) or detoxify (glutathione S-transferases) carcinogens and inhibit the formation of DNA adducts in several target tissues. Antiproliferative activity has been described in several tumor cell lines, which is possibly mediated by induction of apoptosis and alterations of the cell cycle. Allium vegetables and organosulfur compounds are thus possible cancer-preventive agents. Clinical trials will be required to define the effective dose that has no toxicity in humans.

Allium↗
PubMed2000

An international evaluation of the cancer-preventive potential of sunscreens.

The IARC convened a working group of experts in Lyon, France, on 10-18 April, 2000, to evaluate the cancer-preventive activity of sunscreens and to compile the fifth volume of the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention. The working group concluded that the topical use of sunscreens reduces the risk of sunburn in humans and that sunscreens probably prevent squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin when used mainly during unintentional sun exposure. No conclusion can be drawn about the cancer-preventive activity of topical use of sunscreens against basal-cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma. Use of sunscreens can extend the duration of intentional sun exposure, such as sunbathing. Such an extension may increase the risk for cutaneous melanoma. The working group warned against relying solely on sunscreens for protection from UV radiation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed2000

The change in leukotrienes and lipoxins in activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.

The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent the generation of leukotrienes (LTs) and lipoxins (LXs) was affected by the expression of definite levels of macrophage activation. We used a system of murine peritoneal macrophages at different states of activation consisting in resident macrophages and FCS-, thioglycollate- or Corynebacterium parvum-elicited macrophages. The profile of lipoxygenase metabolites in resident macrophages was characterized by the presence of high levels of 12-HETE, followed by 15-HETE, 5-HETE, LTB(4) and 6-trans-LTB(4), 6-trans-12-epi-LTB(4). A comparable pattern was also found in FCS-elicited macrophages which appeared not to be responsive to the challenge with interferon gamma plus LPS, as measured by the generation of NO and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Resident as well as FCS-elicited macrophages also generated appreciable quantities of LXs (A(4) and B(4)). Thioglycollate-elicited macrophages, which expressed a state of 'responsive' macrophages, showed a block of the LT and LX synthesis. This block was also present in C. parvum-elicited macrophages which expressed a fully 'activated' phenotype, reflected by their capacity of releasing NO and tumor necrosis factor alpha even though they were not challenged. These results provide the first evidence that the level of 'responsive' as well as 'activated' macrophages was associated with of a simultaneous block of LTB(4) and LXs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes: correlations with plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids.

In order to investigate whether oxidative damage is associated with differences in antioxidant intake, we measured the levels of 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) in lymphocytes and alpha-tocopherol and several carotenoids in plasma of women with different dietary habits. We found that women from Granada (Spain), a region with a typically Mediterranean diet, had significantly higher levels of 8-oxodGuo compared with Malmö (Sweden), a region with a Northern European dietary intake pattern (2.30 +/- 0.78 versus 1.59 +/- 1.01 8-oxodGuo/10(-6) deoxyguanosine). Levels of plasma alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids were higher in Granada and these values were significantly positively correlated with levels of 8-oxodGuo. Our results do not support the hypothesis that a Mediterranean diet rich in alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids protects cells against oxidative DNA damage. It is possible, however, that consumption of foods other than fruits and vegetables, including fats, are responsible for the higher levels of 8-oxodGuo in Granada. Further studies are warranted to better elucidate the role of antioxidants in the modulation of oxidative stress in vivo.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2000

Cancer-preventive effects of sunscreens are uncertain.

Provocative findings have been published suggesting that the use of sunscreens may promote skin cancer. A recent meeting of international experts on the use of sunscreens and skin cancer was held at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon. The workshop concluded that the topical use of sunscreens reduces the risk of sunburn and that sunscreens probably prevent squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin when used mainly during unintentional sun exposure. No conclusion could be drawn about the cancer-preventive activity of topical sunscreens against basal-cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma. The use of sunscreens can extend the duration of intentional sun exposure, such as sunbathing. Such an extension may increase the risk for cutaneous melanoma. The workshop warned against relying solely on sunscreens for protection from ultraviolet radiation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Cytotoxicity and site-specific DNA damage induced by nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Implications for various pathophysiological conditions.

Nitroxyl anion (NO(-)), the one-electron reduction product of nitric oxide (NO(.)), is formed under various physiological conditions. We have used four different assays (DNA strand breakage, 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine formation in calf thymus DNA, malondialdehyde generation from 2'-deoxyribose, and analysis of site-specific DNA damage using (32)P-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments of the human p53 tumor suppressor gene and the c-Ha-ras-1 protooncogene) to study the effects of NO(-) generated from Angeli's salt on DNA damage. It was found that strong oxidants are generated from NO(-), especially in the presence of H(2)O(2) plus Fe(III)-EDTA or Cu(II). NO(.) released from diethylamine-NONOate had no such effect. Distinct effects of hydroxyl radical (HO(.)) scavengers and patterns of site-specific DNA cleavage caused by Angeli's salt alone or by Angeli's salt, H(2)O(2) plus metal ion suggest that NO(-) acts as a reductant to catalyze the formation of the HO(.) from H(2)O(2) plus Fe(III) and formation of Cu(I)-peroxide complexes with a reactivity similar to HO(.) from H(2)O(2) and Cu(II). Angeli's salt and H(2)O(2) exerted synergistically cytotoxic effects to MCF-7 cells, determined by lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Thus NO(-) may play an important role in the etiology of various pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, especially when H(2)O(2) and transition metallic ions are present.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1999

Induction of DNA strand breakage and base oxidation by nitroxyl anion through hydroxyl radical production.

Nitroxyl anion (NO-), the one-electron reduction product of nitric oxide (NO*), has been reported to be formed under various physiological conditions and to be cytotoxic, although the mechanism responsible for the toxic effects has not been identified. We have studied the effects of NO- generated from Angeli's salt (sodium trioxodinitrate) or Piloty's acid (N-hydoxybenzenesulfonamide) on DNA strand breakage and DNA base oxidation in vitro. Induction of strand breakage was dose- and time-dependent upon incubation of plasmid pBR322 with Angeli's salt or Piloty's acid. Similarly, 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde were formed when calf-thymus DNA or 2'-deoxyribose, respectively, were incubated with Angeli's salt. Electron acceptors (ferricyanide, 4-hydroxy-TEMPO), that convert NO to NO*, inhibited the reactions, indicating that NO , but not NO*, is responsible for the reactions. Furthermore, the reactions were also inhibited by the presence of hydroxyl radical (HO*) scavengers, antioxidants, metal chelators and superoxide dismutase and catalase, implying involvement of free HO*. These results suggest that NO- is a possible endogenous source of HO*, that may be formed either directly from the reaction product of NO- with NO* (N2O2*-) or indirectly through H2O2 formation. Thus NO may play an important role as a cause of diverse pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Biological properties associated with the enhanced lung-colonizing potential in a B16 murine melanoma line grown in a medium conditioned by syngeneic Corynebacterium parvum-elicited macrophages.

A previous study by our laboratory showed that the peritoneal murine Corynebacterium parnum-elicited macrophages released into their growth medium an activity which enhanced the ability of B16-F10 melanoma cells to form experimental metastases in the lung of syngeneic mice. In the present study, we used a clone of B16-F10 line (F10-M3 cells) to investigate whether the increase in lung-colonizing potential due to the pro-clonogenic activity released by C. parvum-elicited macrophages was associated with biological properties characteristic of a metastatic phenotype. We have found that the pulmonary retention, growth rate in lung parenchyma, invasiveness through Matrigel, adhesiveness to IL-1-activated endothelium and MHC class I expression were increased in F10-M3 cells stimulated by the macrophage pro-clonogenic activity. By using an in vitro experimental protocol, the enhancement of lung-colonizing potential in the stimulated melanoma cells turned out to be a transient phenomenon as was the increase of invasiveness through Matrigel and the higher expression of MHC class I antigens. In conclusion, the melanoma cells stimulated by the pro-clonogenic activity released by C. parvum-elicited macrophages showed changes in biological parameters which are relevant to metastatic diffusion. These changes appeared as a temporary phenomenon which sustains the view that the metastatic phenotype represents a transient biological character influenced by host factors.

Animals↗