Giovanna Traina

The present study examined the effect of Enterococcus durans cell-free supernatant (CFS) on interleukin (IL)-8, -10 and -1β gene expressions in the intestinal cell line HT-29 treated with Staphylococcus aureus CFS. HT-29 cells were incubated with E. durans CFS or S. aureus CFS, or S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. All concentrations of E. durans CFS did not show cytotoxicity, while the highest treatment (44.9 μg/mL) with S. aureus CFS induced significant cell death. S. aureus CFS did not modify IL-1β gene expression, while E. durans CFS alone or in combination with S. aureus CFS reduced it. Treatment with S. aureus CFS induced greater expression of the IL-8 gene compared to S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. S. aureus CFS alone or in combination with E. durans CFS increased the expression of the IL-10 gene, while E. durans CFS alone did not modify it. These results suggest a potential protective role of the E. durans secretome in mitigating the inflammatory environment in intestinal cells. This treatment could be useful to protect against possible contact with dangerous soluble microbial products present in food.

The journal retracts the article titled “Neutral Sphingomyelinase Modulation in the Protective/Preventive Role of rMnSOD from Radiation-Induced Damage in the Brain”

The present study examined the effect of Enterococcus durans cell free supernatant (CFS) on interleukin (IL) 8, 10 and 1β gene expressions in the intestinal cell line HT-29 treated with Staphylococcus aureus CFS. HT-29 cells were incubated with E. durans CFS or S. aureus CFS, or S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. All concentrations of E. durans CFS did not show cytotoxicity, while the highest treatment (44.9 μg/mL) with S. aureus CFS induced significant cell death. S. aureus CFS did not modify IL-1β gene expression, while E. durans CFS alone or in combination with S. aureus CFS reduced it. Treatment with S. aureus CFS induced greater expression of the IL-8 gene compared to S. aureus CFS plus E. durans CFS. S. aureus CFS alone or in combination with E. durans CFS increased the expression of the IL-10 gene, while E. durans CFS alone did not modify it. These results suggest a potential protective role of the E. durans secretome in mitigating the inflammatory environment in intestinal cells. This treatment could be useful to protect against possible contact with dangerous soluble microbial products present in food.

The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a physiological response characterized by a reduction in heart rate and arterial blood pressure following stimulation of any branch of the fifth cranial nerve. This review presents a novel mechanism of TCR induction through proprioceptive activation of the trigeminal nerve via mandibular extension (ME). Accordingly, it is referred to as the “proprioceptive trigeminocardiac reflex” (pTCR). An overview of the existing literature on ME-evoked TCR in humans and animals is presented, with particular emphasis on evidence of cerebral microcirculatory alterations. The magnitude of cardiovascular responses appears to depend on the duration of ME, with repeated applications producing more pronounced and prolonged effects, particularly in hypertensive subjects. In rats, pTCR induction is accompanied by a marked increase in pial arteriolar diameter within the frontal and parietal cortices, apparently independent of neurovascular coupling. Anatomical studies propose a putative neural pathway underlying the pTCR, originating in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and projecting to cardiovascular control centers within the brainstem. Experimental evidence indicates that the TCR may represent a centrally mediated neurogenic reflex resulting in decreased arterial pressure and cerebrovascular vasodilation. A deeper understanding of this reflex may pave the way for developing noninvasive interventions aimed at preventing or delaying the onset of hypertension and stroke, both of which are increasingly prevalent in Western populations.

The purpose of this work is to investigate the link between an altered intestinal mcrobiota or dysbiosis and chronic inflammatory disorders, in particular inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Along with probiotics, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) opts to be a promising therapeutic treatment for restoring the bacterial homeostasis of the human intestine and reducing the risk of colorectal carcinogenesis. Microbiota is the complex microbial flora that resides in the gut establishing mutually beneficial relationship. Alteration of the microbiota's composition, termed as dysbiosis, may lead to pathological conditions. Treatment with probiotics can restore the normal commensal flora in IBD. Intestinal microbiota affects the circadian rhythm which in turn regulates the expression of different genes in GALT (gut associated lymphoid tissue) playing a role in the prevention of inflammation and colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. This article highlights the involvement of different microbial strains in the pathogenesis of dysbiosis and in the creation of a carcinogenic milieu caused by an altered stimulation of the immune system. Therapies targeting the equilibrium of the microbiota to switch off chronic inflammation and prevent the progression to CRC seem to be a promising therapeutic tool for a variety of inflammation-associated diseases.

Histamine intolerance is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between the accumulation and degradation of histamine within the body. Excess histamine is metabolized and then degraded by two enzymes, of which the most abundant is the vesicular diamine oxidase (DAO). An imbalance or a state of dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota has been observed in patients with histamine intolerance compared to healthy individuals. Studies indicate that the administration of bifidobacteria or lactobacilli alone or in mixtures can alter colonic microbiota populations and metabolic activities. The present study has evaluated the ability of a probiotic bacterial strain to stimulate the release of cellular DAO from an in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelial barrier. The results indicate that, under the experimental conditions used, probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP115 has a significant stimulatory effect on DAO secretion in adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29.

Purpose: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide which includes two main types of carcinoma distinguished in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involving epithelial cells, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) affecting neuronal cells and hormone secreting cells. Studies have shown a causal link between inflammation/innate immunity and onset of NSCLC. The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 4 and TLR8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in lung tissues of patients with NSCLC, useful for future prognostic tools for NSCLC. Methods: Patients surgically treated for NSCLC with anatomical resections and patients with benign disease were enrolled. The expression levels of TLR4 and TLR8 were determined by real time PCR and by immunohistochemical analysis in PBMC and in lung tissues, respectively. A preliminary in silico analysis including 1194 arrays from healthy and cancer tissues were extracted by Genevestigator database. The association between TLRs gene expression and survival outcome was also investigated. Results: Bioinformatics analysis revealed that downregulation of TLR4 and TLR8 positively impacts the survival in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). However, no significant differences in TLR4 and TLR8 gene expression between case and control groups were observed in PBMC. A positive correlation was found in their expression levels. Interestingly, immunohistochemical analysis showed that the levels of TLR4 and TLR8 were higher in the lung tissues of patients with NSCLC than in the control group in terms of staining intensity and positive cells. Conclusion: Albeit the precise role of TLRs is not fully defined, this study identified the potential involvement of TLR4 and TLR8 in the pathogenesis of NSCLC. Our data led us to hypothesize their potential role in overall survival which deserves to be explored further to establish whether TLR4 and TLR8 can represent positive prognostic indicators of disease in NSCLC.

(1) Background: Bovine colostrum (BC) is the initial milk produced by cows after giving birth and has revealed significant potential in helping various health conditions, particularly in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease, including colitis. BC is renowned for its rich composition of components that strengthen the immune system. Inflammatory bowel diseases, including colitis, are characterized by elevated oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage and exacerbated symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the potential antioxidant activity of bovine colostrum in the context of a mouse model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis. The effectiveness of BC in mitigating oxidative stress and its effects on colitis was evaluated. (2) Methods: Mice were divided into two groups, one group received BC by gavage for 21 days, the other group received saline solution; after 21 days one half of each of the two groups of mice were treated intrarectally with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid to induce colitis. Colon samples were processed by immunocytochemical methods. The immunoreactivity of the main antioxidant enzymes, (i) catalase (CAT), (ii) superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), (iii) superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), at the colon level was analyzed. (3) Results: The results showed positive immunoreactivity of catalase and SOD2 activities of BC in the colon of animals after induction of inflammation. (4) Conclusions: The findings have the potential to suggest new strategies for the management of gastrointestinal disorders related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, the knowledge gained could contribute to the development of functional foods or supplements specifically designed for the management of colitis. Future studies will be aimed at identifying the bioactive fractions of BC to study the mechanisms underlying its actions, as well as to trace which populations can benefit most from colostrum consumption, in addition to subjects with gastrointestinal disorders.