A5035679229- Systemic Sclerosis and Related Diseases
- Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Wound Healing and Treatments
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Inflammasome and immune disorders
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer Assessment and Management
- Cell Adhesion Molecules Research
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Analysis
- Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
- Fibroblast Growth Factor Research
- Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management
- Mesenchymal stem cell research
- Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms
- Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases
- Eicosanoids and Hypertension Pharmacology
- Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Inflammatory mediators and NSAID effects
- Medical and Biological Ozone Research
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
- Flavonoids in Medical Research
- Urinary Bladder and Prostate Research
- Coenzyme Q10 studies and effects
University of Messina
2013-2024
Institute of Pharmacology
2017
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino"
2015-2017
University of Louisville Hospital
2013
BAY 11-7082 antagonizes I-κB kinase-β preventing nuclear translocation of factor-κB (NF-κB); it also inhibits NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. NF-κB is involved in psoriasis, whereas the role NLRP3 controversial. We investigated effects an experimental model psoriasis-like dermatitis. Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by a topical application imiquimod (IMQ) cream (62.5 mg/day) on shaved back skin C57BL/6 and knockout (KO) mice for 7...
Treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains elusive despite compelling evidence from animal models a variety of therapeutic targets. The activation the NLRP3 (Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3) inflammasome has been proposed as key point in damage associated with TBI. was tested potential target reducing neuronal loss and promoting functional recovery mouse model Male NLRP3-/- (n = 20) wild type 27) mice were used. A closed TBI...
The area of Milazzo-Valle del Mela (Sicily, Italy) is considered at high risk environmental crisis by regional authorities. To measure oxidative-stress, DNA repair and detoxification genes in school children living near the industrial age-matched controls. parent study was a biomonitoring investigation evaluating heavy metal urine levels 226 aged 12–14 years, area, 29 controls 45 km far from site. In present 67 exposed adolescents were included. Samples analyzed for urinary...
Type 2 diabetes impairs the healing process because of an exaggerated and persistent inflammatory response, altered expression pattern angiogenic molecules. We investigated effects inflammasome blockade in diabetes-related wound-healings defects, genetically diabetic mice.An incisional skin wound model was produced on back female C57BL/KsJ-m +/+ Lept(db) mice (db⁺ /db⁺) their normal littermates /m⁺). Animals were treated daily with two blocking agents, BAY 11-7082 (20 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p.), or...
Experimental evidence suggests that cadmium (Cd) boosts oxidative stress may result in toxicity on the endocrine system also humans. The aim of this study was to investigate glycemic control and markers male adolescents with increased urinary levels cadmium. We investigated 111 males, aged 12–14 years, living a polluted area Sicily age‐matched population ( n = 60) 28–45 km far from site. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant activity (TAC), metallothionein‐1A (MT‐1A) gene expression,...
Abstract Background The apoptosis machinery is a promising target against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Inhibitors of proteins (IAPs) modulate by direct inhibition caspases. Serenoa Repens (SeR) may be combined with other natural compounds such as Lycopene (Ly) and Selenium (Se) to maximize its therapeutic activity in BPH. We investigated the effects SeR, Se Ly, alone or association, on expression four IAPs, cIAP-1, cIAP-2, NAIP survivin rats experimental testosterone-dependent...
Abstract Cadmium (Cd) causes male infertility. There is the need to identify safe treatments counteracting this toxicity. Flavocoxid a flavonoid that induces balanced inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 peroxidase moieties 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) has efficacy in genitourinary system. We investigated flavocoxid effects on Cd-induced testicular toxicity mice. Swiss mice were divided into 4 groups: 2 control groups received 0.9% NaCl (vehicle; 1 ml/kg/day) or (20 mg/kg/day ip);...
Cadmium (Cd) impairs blood-testis barrier (BTB). Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), an adenosine A2A agonist, has positive effects on male reproductive system. We investigated the of PDRN morphological and functional changes induced by Cd in mice testes. Adult Swiss were divided into four groups: controls administered with 0.9% NaCl (1 ml/kg, i.p., daily) or (8 mg/kg, i.p. daily), animals challenged chloride (CdCl2; 2 i.p, CdCl2 (2 treated daily). Experiments lasted 14 days. Testes processed...
Diabetic mice are characterized by a disrupted expression pattern of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), and impaired vasculogenesis during healing. Experimental evidence suggests that RLX (relaxin) can improve several parameters associated with wound Therefore we investigated the effects porcine-derived in diabetes-related wound-healing defects genetically diabetic mice. An incisional model was produced on back female C57BL/KsJ-m+/+Leptdb (db+/db+) their normal littermates (db+/+m)....
Summary Objective Cadmium (Cd) has been shown to impair pubertal development in experimental animals. However, no data are available for male adolescents with increased urinary cadmium levels. Design The aim of this cross‐sectional study was evaluate onset and pituitary–gonadal axis hormones levels Cd. Subjects We studied 111 males, aged 12–14 years living the Milazzo‐Valle del Mela area. A control age‐matched population ( n = 60) 28–45 km far from industrial site also enrolled. Measurements...
Objective. The antifibrotic effect of simvastatin has been demonstrated in human lung fibroblasts. This study aimed to measure the effects development pulmonary and cutaneous fibrosis a murine model SSc explore mechanisms these effects.
The aim of the present article is to provide a summary epigenetic modifications that might occur in children exposed heavy metals pollutants. It known are more susceptible environmental pollutants, because their detoxification enzymes less competent, and this may lead alterations chromatin structure or DNA causing, turn, modifications. Little currently about long-term effects these changes when early childhood, nonetheless there ethics practical concerns make assessment difficult perform...
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by fibroblast activation and fibrosis of the skin internal organs. Alterations in cell–integrin interaction are sufficient to initiate profibrotic processes. SSc fibroblasts express both αvβ3 αvβ5 integrins their induces myofibroblasts differentiation. The aim present study was evaluate effect anb3 anb5 inhibitor, cilengitide, on development vascular fibrotic changes chronic oxidant stress murine model systemic sclerosis....
Diabetic patients with non-healing ulcers have a reduced expression of VEGF. Genetically diabetic mice an altered pattern VEGF and its receptor, receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). In wounds, the microRNAs, miR15b miR200b, which respectively inhibit VEGF-R2 mRNAs, are up-regulated, further affecting impaired angiogenesis. We investigated whether anti-miRs directed toward miR200b could improve wound repair in genetically mice.Skin wounds were produced on backs female mice. The (antimiR15b, antimiR200b or...
In the Milazzo-Valle del Mela area, presence of industrial plants and oil refinery make local residents concerned for their health. For this reason, we evaluated levels heavy metals in 226 children aged 12-14 years, living 7 municipalities area. A control age-matched population (n = 29) 45 km far from site was also enrolled. Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, vanadium were analysed 24 h urine samples, while lead concentration blood samples. questionnaire regarding life style risk...
We investigated the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome during testis ischemia and reperfusion injury (TI/R) in wild-type (WT) NLRP3 knock-out (KO) mice. WT KO mice underwent 1 hour testicular followed by 4 hours 7 days or a sham TI/R. Furthermore, two groups were treated at beginning up to with inhibitors, BAY 11-7082 (20 mg/kg i.p.) Brilliant Blue G (45.5 i.p.), vehicle. Animals killed pentobarbital sodium...
Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) is an experimental polymicrobial sepsis induced systemic inflammation that leads to acute organ failure. Aim of our study was evaluate the effects SP600125, a specific c‐Jun NH 2 ‐terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, modulate early late steps inflammatory cascade in murine model CLP‐induced sepsis. CB57BL/6J mice were subjected CLP or sham operation. Animals randomized receive either SP600125 (15 mg/kg) its vehicle intraperitoneally 1 hour after surgery repeat...
Activation of the adenosine receptor pathway has been demonstrated to be effective in improving tissue remodeling and blunting inflammatory response. Active colitis is characterized by an intense reaction resulting extensive damage. Symptomatic improvement requires both control process repair damaged tissues. We investigated ability A2A agonist, polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), restore structural integrity two experimental models using male Sprague-Dawley rats. In first model, was induced...
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with wall alterations. We aimed to detect any correlation between elasticity and genetic biomolecular patterns of elastin. Forty-nine BAV patients (mean age: 38 ± 17.05) were prospectively enrolled. A blood sample was drawn for analysis a single nucleotide polymorphism elastin gene (ELN rs2071307) responsible misfolding elastin, the amount soluble fragments (ESF) in plasma. Aortic dimensions elastic properties determined by echocardiography,...
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is causatively associated with cervical cancer, the fourth most common malignant disease of women worldwide: (1) The aim proposed study to implement routine diagnostics HPV precancerous lesions by introducing new molecular diagnostic tools. (2) Methods: This a retrospective cohort total twenty-two formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples various sample type (nine biopsy and thirteen conization) each patient had previous abnormal results pap test or DNA test....