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Background: Exercise effects on regional myocardial velocities have not been well described. Objectives: To evaluate regional systolic and diastolic velocities by pulsed Doppler myocardial mapping during exercise echocardiogram in patients without apparent cardiac disease and to explore feasibility of regional tissue Doppler during exercise. Methods: 49 consecutive patients (61 ± 10 years) without cardiovascular history who underwent 3 stages of supine bicycle exercise echocardiography were prospectively selected, if they showed normal wall motion at rest, during, and post-submaximal exercise. Were excluded patients with a bad acoustic window and significant valvular or myocardial diseases. Maximal spectral Doppler velocities during systole and early diastole (within 3 minutes) were recorded at each stage in the basal third of the inferior, lateral and anterior walls and in the middle septum from the apical 2 and 4 chambers views. Results: All patient performed regional tissue Doppler during exercise. See table. D: diastolic, S: systolic, Exer: exercise Incr: increase% from rest ″p < 0.05 compared with other segments; *p < 0.001 compared with rest. Conclusion: Exercise increases diastolic and systolic myocardial Doppler velocities around 30% in all segments in patients without apparent cardiac disease. Post exercise there are no different to peak exercise velocities. Middle septal velocity is lower than the other basal segments. Regional tissue Doppler may be performed during exercise echocardiogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and it is associated with different neurological disorders. Recent evidence has demonstrated that the gut-brain-axis has a central function in the perpetuation of IBS, and for this reason, it can be considered a possible therapeutic target. N-Palmitoylethanolamine-oxazoline (PEA-OXA) possesses anti-inflammatory and potent neuroprotective effects. Although recent studies have explained the neuroprotective properties of PEA-OXA, nothing is known about its effects on the gut-brain axis during colitis. The aim of this study is to explore the mechanism and the effect of PEA-OXA on the gut-brain axis in rats subjected to experimental colitis induced by oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Daily oral administration of PEA-OXA (10 mg/kg daily o.s.) was able to decrease the body weight loss, macroscopic damage, colon length, histological alteration, and inflammation after DSS induction. Additionally, PEA-OXA administration enhanced neurotrophic growth factor release and decreased the astroglial and microglial activation induced by DSS. Moreover, PEA-OXA restored intestinal permeability and tight junctions (TJs) as well as reduced apoptosis in the colon and brain. In our work, we demonstrated, for the first time, the action of PEA-OXA on the gut-brain axis in a model of DSS-induced colitis and its implication on the "secondary" effects associated with colonic disturbance., (© 2020 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a pleiotropic lipid mediator with established anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic activity. Ultramicronized PEA (PEA-um) has superior oral efficacy compared to naïve (non-micronized) PEA. The aim of the present study was two-fold: (1) to evaluate whether oral PEA-um has greater absorbability compared to naïve PEA, and its ability to reach peripheral and central tissues under healthy and local inflammatory conditions (carrageenan paw edema); (2) to better characterize the molecular pathways involved in PEA-um action, particularly at the spinal level. Rats were dosed with 30 mg/kg of [ 13 C] 4 -PEA-um or naïve [ 13 C] 4 -PEA by oral gavage, and [ 13 C] 4 -PEA levels quantified, as a function of time, by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry. Overall plasma levels were higher in both healthy and carrageenan-injected rats administered [ 13 C] 4 -PEA-um as compared to those receiving naïve [ 13 C] 4 -PEA, indicating the greater absorbability of PEA-um. Furthermore, carrageenan injection markedly favored an increase in levels of [ 13 C] 4 -PEA in plasma, paw and spinal cord. Oral treatment of carrageenan-injected rats with PEA-um (10 mg/kg) confirmed beneficial peripheral effects on paw inflammation, thermal hyperalgesia and tissue damage. Notably, PEA-um down-regulated distinct spinal inflammatory and oxidative pathways. These last findings instruct on spinal mechanisms involved in the anti-hyperalgesic effect of PEA-um in inflammatory pain.

N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) comprise a family of bioactive lipid molecules present in animal and plant tissues, with N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) having received much attention owing to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and neuroprotective activities. 2-Pentadecyl-2-oxazoline (PEA-OXA), the oxazoline of PEA, reportedly modulates activity of N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA), which catabolizes PEA. Because PEA is produced on demand and exerts pleiotropic effects on non-neuronal cells implicated in neuroinflammation, modulating the specific amidases for NAEs (NAAA in particular) could be a way to preserve PEA role in maintaining cellular homeostasis through its rapid on-demand synthesis and equally rapid degradation. This study provides the first description of PEA-OXA in both green and roasted coffee beans and Moka infusions, and its synthesis. In an established model of carrageenan (CAR)-induced rat paw inflammation, PEA-OXA was orally active in limiting histological damage and thermal hyperalgesia 6h after CAR intraplantar injection in the right hindpaw and the accumulation of infiltrating inflammatory cells. PEA-OXA appeared to be more potent compared to ultramicronized PEA given orally at the same dose (10mg/kg). PEA-OXA markedly reduced also the increase in hindpaw myeloperoxidase activity, an index of polymorphonuclear cell accumulation in inflammatory tissues. NAAA modulators like PEA-OXA may serve to maximize availability of NAEs (e.g. PEA) while providing for recycling of the NAE components for further resynthesis., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is produced by mammalian cells from its biosynthetic precursor, N-palmitoyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, and inactivated by enzymatic hydrolysis to palmitic acid and ethanolamine. Apart from fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA), a lysosomal enzyme, was also shown to catalyze the hydrolysis of PEA and to limit its analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. Here we report the finding of a new potential inhibitor of NAAA, EPT4900 (4,5-diacetyloxy-9,10-dioxo-anthracene-2-carboxylic acid, diacerein). EPT4900 exhibited a high inhibitory activity on human recombinant NAAA over-expressed in HEK293 cells (HEK-NAAA cells). EPT4900 selectively increased the levels of PEA in intact HEK-NAAA cells, and inhibited inflammation as well as hyperalgesia in rats treated with an intraplantar injection of carrageenan. This latter effect was accompanied by elevation of PEA endogenous levels in the paw skin., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: The mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG) galactolipids have been purified from the thermophilic blue-green alga Phormidium sp. ETS-05 that colonizes the therapeutic thermal mud of Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme, Italy. Both compounds present a marked composition in polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly omega-3. The therapeutic thermal mud is applied mainly to osteoarthritic cartilage patients. In the present study the effect of MGDG treatment on proteins and factors expressed by human articular cartilage cells in culture and on pathways activated in inflammatory conditions was studied., Methods: Primary cultures of human articular chondrocytes were used at cell passage number 1 (P1). Cells were treated in serum-free medium with inflammatory cytokines in the presence and in the absence of MGDG. Western blot was performed on collected medium and on cell layers. At least three different experiments were performed on primary cultures. The quantitation of the MGDG effect was performed by densitometric scanning of Western blots. p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (p38) activation, Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kB) activation and Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) quantitation were performed by commercially available assays. Results are given as the mean values ± SD. All statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad software. The two-tailed Student's t -test was performed., Results: We report that MGDG: 1) represses the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) induced by interleukin-1alpha (IL-1α) or IL-1α + tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) interfering with the p38 and NF-kB pathways; 2) is not toxic for the cells and does not affect the cell phenotype; 3) strongly enhances COX-2 expression induced by IL-1α or IL-1α + TNFα; 4) represses mPGES expression induced by IL-1α and the synthesis of PGE(2) and induces the synthesis of 15-deoxy-Δ 12,14-prostaglandin J(2) (15ΔPGJ(2)). In addition, the COX-2 product 15ΔPGJ(2) added to the cells: 1) strongly represses IL-6 and IL-8 induced by IL-1α; 2) represses mPGES expression induced by IL-1α and the synthesis of PGE(2)., Conclusions: All together these data suggest that MGDG has an anti-inflammatory activity in human articular cartilage and possibly activates an anti-inflammatory loop triggered by COX-2 via 15ΔPGJ(2) production, indicating a possible role of COX-2 in resolution of inflammation. The purified compound is a novel anti-inflammatory agent potentially active for human articular cartilage pathologies related to inflammation.

In this study we compare the biodegradation of both single-walled (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using two different oxidative conditions. In particular, we demonstrate that oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes are highly degraded, although not to completeness when treated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

The mono- and the digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG) galactolipids with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly omega-3, have been purified from the thermophilic blue-green alga ETS-05 that colonises the therapeutic thermal mud of Abano and Montegrotto, Italy. The therapeutic thermal mud is applied mostly to osteoarthritic cartilage patients. In the present study, a possible anti-inflammatory function of MGDG in cartilage has been studied in the avian articular cartilage model. We report that, in response to an inflammatory stimulus, adult avian articular cartilage cells express inflammation-related proteins, such as the lipocalin extracellular fatty acid binding protein, Avidin and Serum Amyloid A. The treatment of avian articular chondrocytes with the galactolipid MGDG suppressed the expression of the inflammation-induced proteins, suggesting a strong anti-inflammatory property of MGDG. MGDG has, in addition, a cell anti-proliferative activity, but it does not interfere with cell differentiation, suggesting a protective role for articular cartilage.

Double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNT) have been functionalized with lysine after a strong oxidation with MnO4- in acid solution which, as suggested by the Raman spectra, attacked the external nanotube of the DWNT.

Single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) are a new class of material that is closely related to single-wall carbon nanotubes. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a series of SWNHs functionalized with ethylene glycol chains and porphyrins. Functionalization of carbon nanohorns has been achieved using two different synthetic protocols: (1) direct attack of a free amino group on the nanohorn sidewalls (nucleophilic addition) and (2) amidation reaction of the carboxylic functions in oxidized nanohorns. The nanohorn derivatives have been characterized by a combination of several techniques, and the electronic properties of the porphyrin/nanohorn assemblies (SWNH/H2P) have been investigated by electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, and a series of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. The cyclic voltammetry curve of nanohorn/porphyrin conjugate 6 showed a continuum of faradic and pseudocapacitive behavior, which is associated with multiple-electron transfers to and from the SWNHs. Superimposed on such a pseudocapacitive current, the curve also displays three discrete reduction peaks at -2.26, -2.57, and -2.84 V and an oxidation peak at 1.12 V (all attributed to the porphyrin moiety). Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence demonstrated a quenching of the fluorescence of the porphyrin in SWNH/H2P conjugates 5 and 6 compared to the reference free base porphyrin. Transient absorption spectra permitted the electron-transfer process between the porphyrins and the carbon nanostructures to be highlighted.

The Phormidium sp. ETS-05 thermophile blue-green alga is one of the most typical and widespread species of cyanobacteria of the thermal muds of the Euganean hot springs, the therapeutic properties of which have been known since ancient times. The polar diacylglycerolipids of this cyanobacterium consists of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. We have isolated and purified these four diacylglycerolipids from ETS-05, and then analysed them for their quantitative and structural features and fatty acid contents. The monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol show a marked presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, of which C18 : 4 is the most common. We propose that these glycoglycerolipids can be used as markers for monitoring the thermal mud colonisation process.

The thermophilic blue-green alga ETS-05 colonises the therapeutic thermal muds of Abano and Montegrotto, Italy. Following the isolation, purification and identification of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), sulphoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) and phosphatidylglycerol from ETS-05, we here examine their in vivo anti-inflammatory activities. MGDG, DGDG and SQDG inhibit croton-oil-induced ear oedema in the mouse in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition by MGDG is greater than that of the reference drug, betamethasone 17,21-dipropionate, and is largely abrogated following acyl group saturation. SQDG is the least potent of these glycoglycerolipids, and shows an early transient effect. In the in vivo carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in the mouse, the inhibitory effects are again dose dependent, with an enhanced efficacy of MGDG over DGDG, SQDG and the reference drug, indomethacin. These compounds are all less toxic than indomethacin. The selective and enhanced inhibitory effects of MGDG over DGDG indicate the mechanisms behind these in vivo anti-inflammatory actions.

A large variation of the nonlinear transmission properties of a cyclen-based bis(styryl)benzene can be induced by a small change of the linear absorption spectrum upon Zn2+ binding. This result has been interpreted in the frame of a sequential two-photon process in which one photon is absorbed from the ground state and one photon is absorbed from an excited state.

Co-cyclization of 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dicarbonitrile and 3,6-diamyloxyphthalodinitrile in the presence of magnesium or lithium amylate in amyl alcohol leads to mixtures containing the Mg derivatives of the symmetrical species tetrakis(1,2,5-thiadiazolo)porphyrazine, (S(4))PzH(2), and tetrakis(1,4-diamyloxybenzo)porphyrazine, (A(4))PzH(2), and the low-symmetry macrocycles bearing peripheral 1,2,5-thiadiazole and 1,4-diamyloxybenzene rings in the ratio 1:3, 2:2 (cis and trans), and 3:1, that is, (SA(3))PzH(2), (S(2)A(2))PzH(2), (SASA)PzH(2), and (S(3)A)PzH(2), respectively. The basic Mg materials were converted to the corresponding free-base macrocycles by treatment with CF(3)COOH. The species were separated from the mixtures by chromatography, either as Mg complexes or demetalated materials. With results on (S(4))PzH(2) and (SA(3))PzH(2) in hand, including crystallographic work on the latter, a general chemical physical investigation has been carried out of all the symmetrical and unsymmetrical free-base macrocycles. The structures of the species (S(2)A(2))PzH(2) and (A(4))PzH(2). were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The effect of the progressive variation of the macrocyclic structure along the series, from the symmetrical (S(4))PzH(2) to its symmetrical partner (A(4))PzH(2) via the low-symmetry 3:1, 2:2 (cis and trans), and 1:3 macrocycles, was studied by IR, (1)H NMR, and UV/Vis linear and nonlinear (optical limiting) measurements. The results are interpreted on the basis of intra- and intermolecular interactions between the electron-deficient 1,2,5-thiadiazole and the electron-donating 1,4-diamyloxybenzene moieties.

Mast cells play a key role in inflammatory reactions triggered by tissue injury or immune perturbations. Little is known about endogenous molecules and mechanisms capable of modulating inappropriate mast cell activity. N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)hexadecanamide (palmitoylethanolamide), found in peripheral tissues, has been proposed to act as a local autacoid capable of negatively regulating mast cell activation and inflammation-hence the acronym Autacoid Local Inflammation Antagonism (ALIA). Recently, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)hexadecanamide (LG 2110/1) has been reported to down-modulate mast cell activation in vitro by behaving as an agonist at the peripheral cannabinoid CB2 receptor. Here, we have characterized and functionally correlated the anti-inflammatory actions of LG 2110/1 with its ability to control mast cell activation, when given orally in a battery of rodent models of inflammation. LG 2110/1 diminished, in a dose-dependent and correllated manner, the number of degranulated mast cells and plasma extravasation induced by substance P injection in the mouse ear pinna. In addition, LG 2110/1 reduced dose dependently plasma extravasation induced by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction. In adult rats LG 2110/1 decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, carrageenan-induced hindpaw edema and hyperalgesia, but not phospholipase A2-induced hindpaw edema. Further, anti-edema effects were observed when utilizing dextran and formalin, known to also cause mast cell activation. Locally administered LG 2110/1 was likewise effective in minimizing dextran-induced hind paw edema. In contrast, equivalent amounts of palmitic acid plus ethanolamine were ineffective against plasma extravasation provoked by substance P. LG 2110/1 did not decrease plasma extravasation induced by the substance P fragment, substance P-(6-11), known to be inactive on mast cells. These results indicate that orally administered N-(2-hydroxyethyl)hexadecanamide is effective in: (a) directly down-modulating mast cell activation in vivo; (b) suppressing pathological consequences initiated by mast cell activation independently of the activating stimuli; (c) exerting an anti-inflammatory action distinguishable from that of classical steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. These findings raise the possibility that N-(2-hydroxyethyl)hexadecanamide and related saturated N-acylamides ('ALIAmides') represent novel therapeutic agents useful in the management of inflammatory disease conditions.