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Biomedical subjects

F Marangoni

Publications and source records attributed to F Marangoni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

The fatty acid profiles in a drop of blood from a fingertip correlate with physiological, dietary and lifestyle parameters in volunteers.

Limited data are available on the fatty acid (FA) composition of circulating lipids and the associations with diet, physiological and pathological conditions, due to the complexity and costs of the analytical process. The aim of our study was to evaluate the FA composition in 108 healthy subjects and to correlate the data with gender, pregnancy, dietary habits, lifestyle, and short-term controlled intake of n-3 FA, using an innovative analytical approach for the collection and processing of blood samples. Ten subjects were also supplemented with n-3 polyunsaturated FA as smoked salmon or capsules for 3 weeks. The resulting blood FA composition was affected by gender, pregnancy, diet and smoking. The data indicate that this new analytical methodology is suitable for assessing associations between circulating FA and various parameters in large population groups, and is applicable to epidemiological studies and in the assessment of the effects of controlled FA supplementation in clinical studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

N-3 fatty acids in the Mediterranean diet.

Fats in the diet of countries in the Mediterranean basin are typically represented by olive oil, but the high consumptions of vegetables and to some extent also of fish result in appreciable intakes of n-3 fatty acids. In fact, various plant foods are relatively rich in the 18 carbon n-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, ALA, while the generally moderate consumption of fish, except for certain communities living close to the sea, contributes to the intake of the long-chain n-3. Although the amounts of fats in ALA-containing plant foods are low, the relatively high concentrations of this fatty acid and the large size of the portions consumed allow to reach appreciable doses of ALA, an n-3 fatty acid that has been shown to exert favourable effects on various relevant factors in cardiovascular protection. In addition, consumption of relatively small amounts of certain typical dry fruit components of the diet such as walnuts, provides a sizable supply of ALA that is also rather efficiently converted to the ALA derivative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Additional rather typical wild food components of the diet in certain countries, i.e. snails and frogs, are also appreciable sources of ALA. It appears thus that the consumption of typical Mediterranean foods provides relevant intakes of n-3 fatty acids, especially ALA, that appears to be efficiently absorbed and also transformed at least to the long-chain derivative EPA.

Diet, Mediterranean↗
PubMed2003

Earlier smoking habits are associated with higher serum lipids and lower milk fat and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the first 6 months of lactation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between maternal smoking habits, plasma lipids and milk fatty acid (FA) content and composition. DESIGN: Breastfeeding mothers who gave birth to healthy, full-term infants were recruited. Mothers were interviewed on smoking habits, being defined smokers (S) when usually smoking at least five cigarettes per day before pregnancy. SETTING: Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy. SUBJECTS: In total, 92 mothers: 61 non-S (NS) and 31 S. INTERVENTIONS: Pooled hindmilk was collected at the first raise of milk (colostrum stage), 1, 3 and 6 months, and total lipid (TL) content and fatty acid (FA) composition were evaluated. Maternal dietary habits were assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. Two subsamples (16 NS, 6 S) were investigated after delivery and at 3 months for serum lipids and FA status. At 6 months after delivery, the number of mothers still breastfeeding decreased to 30. Variables were compared using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: In smoking mothers serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins were higher, while those of high-density lipoproteins were lower. TL content in breast milk was similar in the two groups just after delivery but higher in milk from NS at 1 month. TL content and FA absolute amounts of linoleic, arachidonic, alpha-linolenic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid in breast milk were lower in S vs NS 1 month after delivery. Also 3 months after delivery, the breast milk of smoking mothers contained less DHA than the breast milk of nonsmoking mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal cigarette smoking in early pregnancy is associated with higher plasma lipid levels and lower milk TL and DHA content in the first months of lactation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Prolonged breast-feeding (six months or more) and milk fat content at six months are associated with higher developmental scores at one year of age within a breast-fed population.

Since dietary fats may affect brain composition and function in early life, we evaluated developmental indices at 1 year of age in relation to the duration of breast-feeding and the milk fat composition in a breast-fed population. A blinded monitor administered the Bayley test (2nd edition) to 1-year-old subjects born at term and exclusively breast-fed for at least 3 months. Weaning foods were introduced from the 5th month onward. Mothers' milk lipid composition (fat [wt/dL], fatty acid [wt/dL], FA% [% of total fatty acids]) was determined at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Statistics used were Student's t-test, Pearson's r, and multiple regression. Forty-four infants out of 95 recruited at birth met inclusion criteria. There was a progressive reduction of the number of breast-fed babies to 29 (6 mo), 17 (9 mo), and 10 (12 mo). Breast-feeding for 6 months or longer gave a 6.6-point advantage (95% confidence interval, -0.6, 13.8; P = 0.07 for the Bayley psychomotor developmental index (PDI) and 2.0 for the Bayley mental developmental index (MDI) (95% confidence interval, -3.2, 7.3; NS) compared with the 15 subjects breast-fed for fewer than 6 months. Among the milk lipid factors, the fat weight (mg/dL) at 6 months showed the highest association with the MDI (r = 0.55, P = 0.002). Thus, prolonged breast-feeding during the weaning process may result in a better developmental performance at 12 months, possibly due to the supply of fats contributing energy and/or affecting brain composition.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in human hindmilk are constant throughout twelve months of lactation.

We assessed the total fat content and fatty acid concentrations in colostrum and throughout a nursing period of 12 months in a group of mothers recruited after delivery of full-term infants. Pooled human milk (hindmilk) was collected from all feedings over 24 hours at the following times: 1st day of nursing (colostrum), and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Total fat was quantified by a microgravimetric method. Fatty acids were analyzed by means of capillary gas chromatography. Comparisons were made with analysis of variance for repeated measures. Ten mothers completed the follow-up 12-month nursing period. We found that the total lipid content of hindmilk (mg/dL) rises more than 3-fold from the colostrum up to the 3rd month, and then more slowly up to the 12th month. Total saturated fatty acids progressively increase and total monounsaturated FA progressively decrease. Among long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, we found that the concentrations (mg/dL) of C20:4 and C22:6 remain stable from colostrum up to the 12th month of nursing, while their percentage levels are highest in colostrum and decrease afterwards in association with the increase in total fats. The C18:2n6 and C18:3n3 amounts progressively increase, following the trend of total fats. These data indicate that the secretion of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid during lactation remains constant, in spite of changes in total fat and in the linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid contents of milk.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed2001

Outcomes of a program to evaluate mother and baby 6 months after umbilical cord blood donation.

BACKGROUND: A routine program of evaluating mothers and infants 6 months after umbilical cord blood donation was started at the Milano Cord Blood Bank (MCBB) in 1996. This study evaluated the main outcomes of this program. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: All mothers donating cord blood at this bank from February 1996 through May 1999 were invited to visit the bank or the collection suite 6 months after delivery to report on the health condition of their babies and to provide a fresh blood sample for repeat basal serologic tests (HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV-1/2, and syphilis). A bank volunteer contacted the mothers by telephone to schedule their visits just before the expiration of the 6-month period. Before collection of the new sample, a trained operator interviewed the mothers to review the mother's medical history information collected at donation and to obtain the baby's postnatal medical history. RESULTS: Of the 2450 mothers enrolled in the study, 2315 (94.5%) attended the bank in agreement with the program, 4 promised to attend, 95 could not be traced, 26 declined the invitation, and 10 were unable to attend. Of the 135 mothers who could not be traced, 29 (21.4%) belonged to non-European ethnic groups. The average time spent with each mother was approximately 20 minutes. In serologic testing, one indeterminate anti-HCV seroconversion (c22) was detected. Collection of the baby's postnatal history reported one case of congenital urinary malformation not known at delivery, one of protein C deficiency, one of phenylketonuria, one of mucoviscidosis, and one of 10q- chromosomal abnormality. The cord blood components from all these births were discarded. CONCLUSION: These data support the feasibility of a routine 6-month program of evaluating mothers and babies giving cord blood at a cord blood bank. Such programs may increase the quality of components stored for transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Breastfeeding duration, milk fat composition and developmental indices at 1 year of life among breastfed infants.

The associations of breastfeeding duration and milk fat composition with the developmental outcome at 1 year of age were measured within 44 infants exclusively breastfed for 3 months, out of 95 recruited at birth. Pooled breast milk (hindmilk) of the mothers was analysed at colostrum, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for total fat and fatty acid content. Infants were examined at 12 months by means of the Bayley test. There was a progressive reduction of the number of breastfed babies after the introduction of solids to 29 (6 months), 17 (9 months) and 10 (12 months). After adjusting for major confounders, infants breastfed for 6 months or longer showed a trend to have an advantage at the Bayley psychomotor developmental index compared to those breastfed >3 and <6 months (95% CI for difference: - 0.6, 13.8; P= 0.07) while the Bayley mental developmental index (MDI) was just 2.1 points higher. Among the milk fat components considered for each time-point, the total fat content at 6 months showed the strongest association with the MDI at 12 months (r=0.59, P=0.001). Prolonging breastfeeding during the weaning process may result in a better developmental performance at 12 months, possibly due to the supply of fats affecting brain composition.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2000

In vitro differentiation of human monocytes to macrophages results in depletion of antioxidants and increase in n-3 fatty acids levels.

The lipid composition and alpha-tocopherol content of human monocytes were investigated before and after their differentiation to macrophages. The total lipid and protein content per number of cells increased after the differentiation of monocytes by approximately four-fold; a two-fold increase in docosahexaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids and a two-fold decrease in linoleic acid were also noted. As opposed to an initial monocytic vitamin E content of 4.75 pmol/10(6) cells, macrophagic vitamin E levels were undetectable. Changes in vitamin E and fatty acids contents in macrophages, with respect to monocytes, appear to reflect the lipid composition of fetal calf serum, that is low in vitamin E and has a proportionally higher docosahexaenoic acid content than adult human serum.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Dietary fats and cholesterol in italian infants and children.

The fat intake of Italian infants has peculiar characteristics that begin quite early because their mothers' milk has a monounsaturated fat content (45%) at the upper limit of the values found in Europe. Comparison studies in breast-fed and formula-fed infants were conducted to evaluate growth and developmental correlates and differences in fat intakes in the early months of life. Breast-fed infants have higher blood lipid concentrations at 4 mo of age than do formula-fed infants. The addition of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and cholesterol to formulas for term infants may affect concentrations of circulating blood lipids as well as the LCPUFA composition of the lipids during the breast-feeding period. The addition of LCPUFAs does not seem to affect the growth rate of formula-fed infants. Although an initial benefit of LCPUFA feeding on eye-hand coordination was observed, this effect was not sustained; by 24 mo, different feeding groups had similar developmental scores. Other peculiarities of the Italian experience are presented, including body weights from infancy to early childhood in 147 children, the nutrient densities of different diets in Italian schoolchildren, and the effects of nutritional education on dietary intakes. The diets of these children were high in animal protein and supplied approximately 30-35% of energy from fats throughout childhood. Both the dietary protein intakes at 1 y of age and parental body mass indexes were associated with 5-y body mass index values. Classroom education may be useful to lower the plasma lipid concentrations in healthy, primary school-age children. It is not known whether this early modification can be maintained and whether it influences the later development of cardiovascular disorders.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2000

Polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in human hindmilk are stable throughout 12-months of lactation and provide a sustained intake to the infant during exclusive breastfeeding: an Italian study.

While a wealth of data on the fatty acid composition of mature human milk has been published, limited information is available on the quantities of individual fatty acids supplied to the suckling infant with maternal milk, through the whole first year of life. Our aim was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the fatty acid composition of human milk from Italian mothers, throughout extended lactation with particular emphasis on the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. We have thus measured the total fat content and the concentrations of major fatty acids by quantitative GLC in pooled breast hindmilk collected from all feedings over 24 h at colostrum, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months in ten mothers recruited after delivery of full-term infants. Total saturated fatty acids progressively increase and total monounsaturated progressively decrease as percentage levels, while among long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, percentages of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid decrease from colostrum up to the third month. Hindmilk total lipids (mg/dl) rise more than twofold up to 3 months, and then remain stable. The amounts (mg/dl) of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid progressively increase, following the trend of total fat, while arachidonic and docosahexaenoic concentrations (mg/dl) remain stable throughout the whole nursing period. Assessment of the intakes per kg body weight shows different trends for the individual major long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids supplied to the infant from hindmilk during exclusive breast-feeding (3 months). This information may be useful for the evaluation of infant intakes during extended lactation.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1999

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human milk.

Arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are the most representative long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) since they may affect infants' growth and development. LCPUFA are present in the milk of all lactating women throughout lactation. The mothers' dietary habits may affect the levels of these fatty acids in maternal blood lipids and then in milk. LCPUFA show marked differences in levels as wt%, particularly from colostrum to mature human milk, but only mild differences in absolute content. Both the major presence of LCPUFA in human milk phospholipids and some regulatory mechanisms in the mammary gland cells could contribute to the LCPUFA levels in milk beyond those in maternal plasma.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1998

Plasma arachidonic acid and serum thromboxane B2 concentrations in phenylketonuric children are correlated with dietary compliance.

Phenylketonurics display lower arachidonic acid levels in plasma lipids, reflecting the lower intake due to the dietary treatment poor in phenylalanine-rich animal foods. Plasma arachidonic acid levels and serum thromboxane B2 concentrations have been measured in 13 treated phenylketonuric children and compared with those of 12 healthy controls. A direct relationship between plasma arachidonic acid and thromboxane B2 concentrations has been observed only in phenylketonurics, whose plasma arachidonic acid status correlated negatively with their dietary compliance. These results suggest that the low consumption of animal fats may contribute to modulate the production of arachidonic acid-derived platelet eicosanoids.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The threshold for prophylactic platelet transfusions in adults with acute myeloid leukemia. Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche Maligne dell'Adulto.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic platelet transfusions are usually administered to patients receiving myelotoxic chemotherapy when their platelet count falls below 20,000 per cubic millimeter. Some observations suggest that lower platelet counts can be appropriate in patients in stable condition, but the safety of lower thresholds is uncertain. METHODS: We evaluated 255 adolescents and adults (age, 16 to 70 years) with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (but not acute promyelocytic leukemia), who were treated in 21 centers. One hundred thirty-five patients were randomly assigned to receive a transfusion when their platelet count fell below 10,000 per cubic millimeter (or 10,000 to 20,000 per cubic millimeter in those with a temperature above 38 degrees C, with active bleeding, or a need for invasive procedures), and 120 patients were assigned to receive a transfusion when their platelet count was less than 20,000 per cubic millimeter. RESULTS: Patients in the group with a threshold of 10,000 platelets per cubic millimeter received 21.5 percent fewer platelet transfusions than the patients in the group with a threshold of 20,000 platelets per cubic millimeter (P=0.001). The numbers of red-cell units transfused were not significantly different between groups. Major bleeding (defined as any bleeding more than petechiae or mucosal or retinal bleeding) occurred in 21.5 and 20 percent of patients, respectively (P=0.41), and on 3.1 and 2.0 percent of the days of hospitalization. One episode of fatal cerebral hemorrhage occurred in the group with a threshold of 10,000 platelets per cubic millimeter; none occurred in the other group (P= 0.95). Actuarial estimates of survival during induction chemotherapy, actuarial estimates of the absence of major bleeding, and the length of hospital stay were not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of major bleeding during induction chemotherapy in adolescents and adults with acute myeloid leukemia (except acute promyelocytic leukemia, which we did not study) was similar with platelet-transfusion thresholds of 20,000 per cubic millimeter and 10,000 per cubic millimeter (or 10,000 to 20,000 per cubic millimeter when body temperature exceeded 38 degrees C, there was active bleeding, or invasive procedures were needed). Use of the lower threshold reduced platelet use by 21.5 percent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Use of photografting technique for the immobilization of blood-grouping antibodies onto microtiter plates.

Commercial anti-A, anti-B, anti-A,B and anti-D monoclonal and polyclonal antisera were immobilized onto polystyrene microtiter plates using a photografting technique, to set up a new solid-phase assay (SPA) to be used for blood grouping. The reactivity and specificity of each grafted antisera were studied using red blood cells (RBCs) expressing normal and weak antigens. The stability of immobilized antisera was also studied. After dry storage of plates at +4 degrees C, room temperature, and +37 degrees C, SPA was performed using fresh and/or frozen RBCs. The same test was carried out after storing plates under protective conditions. Concordance of collected with expected results was obtained in all cases when the SPA was performed using monoclonal antisera and RBCs, with normal or weak expression of ABO and D antigens immediately after plate preparation or after dry storage at +4 degrees C. Plates stored dry at room temperature or at +37 degrees C gave inconsistent results, whereas a slight increase in reactivity was observed after storage under protective conditions. The specificity and the reactivity of tested antibodies were not modified by the immobilization procedure, not even after dry storage at +4 degrees C. Damage produced by water evaporation during dry storage in hard conditions could be reduced by adding a protective solution to microtiter wells at the beginning of storage.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1997

Manipulation of the fate of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cultured cells.

We have studied the biosynthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) from their precursors in cultured cells undergoing physiological modifications, or under the influence of lipid-lowering drugs or ethanol. The formation of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6) from the percursor linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6) in the neuroblastoma cells SK-N-BE is enhanced at early stages of differentiation, and declines when differentiation is complete, in concomitance with maximal accumulation of AA in cell lipids. In the monocytic cells THP-1, the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA is also enhanced by treatment with the HMGCoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin (S), an effect which is reverted by mevalonate and other intermediates of cholesterol synthesis. Maximal activation of LC-PUFA synthesis by S occurs at concentrations lower than those required for maximal inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. In the hepatoma cells HepG2, ethanol decreases the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA while potentiating the incorporation of acetate into cholesterol. LC-PUFA synthesis appears thus to be modulated in the course of cell differentiation and complex interactions between LC-PUFA and cholesterol synthesis occur, as judged from data obtained through pharmacological manipulations.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Plasma arachidonic acid and serum thromboxane B2 concentrations in phenylketonuric children negatively correlate with dietary compliance.

The study addresses the relationship of plasma arachidonic acid and thromboxane production with the dietary compliance in treated phenylketonuric patients, whose vegan-like dietary pattern makes them a useful model to evaluate the effects of the near-total avoidance of animal fats. Thirteen treated phenylketonuric children were compared with twelve healthy controls for arachidonic acid intake, plasma fatty acids and platelet thromboxane B2 production, assessed as accumulation of this eicosanoid in serum. The calculated intake of arachidonic acid was lower in phenylketonurics than in controls and this was associated with lower levels in plasma lipids. Plasma arachidonic acid concentrations and serum thromboxane B2 levels correlated with the last 12 months phenylalanine levels, taken as negative indicator of dietary compliance. A direct relationship between plasma arachidonic acid concentration and thromboxane B2 production was observed only in phenylketonuric patients (r = 0.74, P = 0.01). While well-compliant PKU subjects have low arachidonic acid and thromboxane concentrations in plasma, the low compliance with animal food avoidance, evoking higher phenylalanine levels, results in elevation of both plasma arachidonic acid and serum thromboxane B2. This gives support to the hypothesis that the consumption of animal fats may affect the production of arachidonic acid-derived platelet eicosanoids.

Adolescent↗