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Introduction: Neuropeptides are frequently identified as potential drugs for the development of new therapeutics or for the study of a variety of human cerebral diseases. Due to their instability when injected proteins and peptides need specific delivery systems, to stretch the biodisponibility. Nanocarriers can be a solution to solve the problem of transport to the central nervous system. Material and method: We performed a data literature analysis from PubMed. We analyze data from multiple studies, reporting that nanovectors are a possible drug delivery system (DDS) in the central nervous system (CNS). Results: We found that several studies are developing nanocarriers for neuropeptides delivery through intranasal route or injected. With this strategy it is possible to deliver efficiently several drugs with different natures such as small polar molecules, peptides, and proteins, and also the large proteins, polysaccharides, and even neuropeptides entering the CNS. Conclusions: We can conclude that the developments of the nanocarriers as DDS for neuropeptides and the transport through the nasal passages are a promising strategy for the delivery of neuropeptides in CNS.

Background: Plant-based diets have spread widely in the general population and among athletes too, both for well-documented health benefits and for eco-sustainability and ethical concerns. Despite appropriate nutrition is essential for satisfying training, performance, and recovery needs in athletes, little is known about the effects of plant-based diets on body composition in athletes. Appropriate training and nourishment strategies are a daily priority to arrive at victory and achieving an optimal body composition helps achieve success. Our study aimed to shed light on the adequacy of a vegetarian or vegan diet on the body composition of the athlete, in comparison with an omnivorous diet. In particular, we had tried to clarify the effects of well-structured plant-based nutrition in competitive athletes, who, previously, had never followed a diet under specialist supervision. Methods: The groups were followed for 8 months and subjected to a well-planned diet under medical supervision. Anthropometric parameters and body composition evaluation through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) were performed in each participant. Results: All subjects, especially vegans, showed an improvement in cellular efficiency, muscle mass, and a re-distribution of body water thanks to a better distribution of macronutrients with dietary plans. These changes demonstrate improvement in the athlete's body composition thanks to well-structured plant-based diets that meet the nutrient requirements, without a change in physical training, especially in vegan athletes. Conclusions: The administration of well-structured dietetic schemes for each group has reduced the differences between omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans, underling their more difficult autonomous management and the important role of the nutrition specialist. Given the evidence collected, we demonstrate that plant-based diets are sustainable for athletes and that the role of nutritionist is central to sports and food choices to achieve an optimal body composition.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) includes a various factors such as hyperglycemia, high blood pressure and hypercholesterolemia that predispose individuals to the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Furthermore, MS is strongly associated with obesity, indeed, it is well know that abdominal and/or visceral adipose tissue accumulation is a contributory cause of MS development. These diseases are associated with multiple metabolic toxicities resulting from the oxidative stress, which are the product of reactive oxygen species. In this scenario, a corrected nutrition and adequate physical activity are important measures against MS, obesity, aging and prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In this regards, the healthy lifestyle, and in particular correct physical activity, represents one the epigenetic strategies against MS, having beneficial and anti-inflammatory effects, reducing the production of free radicals and the risk to development cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The aim of this review is to discuss on physical activity and its role in modification of lyfestile inducing beneficial effect on health status. Material and method: We performed a data literature analysis from PubMed. We analyze data from multiple studies reporting that physical activity decreases body adiposity and the physical exercise reduces the fat mass in a dose dependent. Physical activity decreases abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat indipendently of changes in dietary energy intake in healthy, overweight and obese man and women, suggesting that training is critical in the treatment, or prevention, of MS. Also, it induces the expression of a many genes involved in the repair of cellular damage and reduces the expression of genes involved in the mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammation, activating numerous metabolic pathways and down-regulating the production of mediators of inflammation and ROS production. Conclusion: the physical activity can be an efficient therapeutic approach in MS, promoting weight loss in obesity and reducing cardiovascular disease and diabetes risks.

Gli agonisti recettoriali del glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP1-RAs) sono un gruppo di farmaci antidiabetici con una rilevante azione sul controllo glicemico, basata sull’aumento della secrezione di insulina glucosio-dipendente con concomitante riduzione della secrezione di glucagone e ritardato svuotamento gastrico. I GLP1-RA hanno inoltre attività pleiotropiche come proprietà antinfiammatorie, antitrombotiche e antiobesogeniche, con evidenti benefici su eventi cardiovascolari maggiori, mortalità cardiovascolare e danno renale. Tutto ciò rende questa classe di farmaci un elemento chiave nella gestione dei pazienti con diabete tipo 2 e potenzialmente utile nei soggetti con COVID-19 (2019nCoV – Coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19). Per le proprietà antinfiammatorie è stato ipotizzato che le terapie a base di incretino-mimetici esercitino effetti benefici sugli esiti di COVID-19. Qui riportiamo un caso di una donna di 82 anni con diabete tipo 2 scarsamente controllato, che utilizzava un regime insulinico basal-bolus più metformina. Il miglioramento del controllo glicemico ottenuto passando dal trattamento con insulina basale al GLP-1RA aggiunto al regime insulinico basale, con la sospensione dell’insulina prandiale (trattamento di de-escalation) in questo caso è risultato associato agli effetti benefici sugli esiti di COVID-19. PAROLE CHIAVE GLP1-RAs; DMT2; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19.

Introduction: Microparticles (MPs) are a heterogeneous population of small cell-derived vesicles. The composition is influenced by the cellular origin and the cellular processes starting their formation. The MPs have various biochemical composition, depending on the site in which they originate: from platelets or endothelium, MPs are involved in many disease, in particular in cardiovascular disease but also in cancer and in central nervous system disease. They are involved in many cellular processes and in particular in apoptosis and in cellular rearrangement. MPs could promote the recruitment of more immune cells in vascular inflammatory areas. Material and method: We performed a data literature analysis from PubMed. We analyze data from multiple studies, reporting that in central nervous system (CNS), the MPs have an important biological role, they can be derived from platelets, endothelial cells, neurons or glial cells. RESULT: We found that the CNS cells in the neurovascular unit, including the endothelial lining and neural cells are also subject to stress by a variety of stimuli such as oxygen radicals and inflammation. Indeed, it is induced membrane shedding in vascular cells. For these reasons, it is possible that the shedding in the neurovascular network may be linked not only to the development and progression of various CNS diseases, but also to the physiological development of the nervous system. In fact, the MPs attend, also, to a regeneration and repair of nerve injury. The MPs are involved in neuroimmune response, indeed, during the various negative stimuli, the microglial release a MPs containing pro-inflammatory cytokines. The MPs can be considered as a biomarkers from a specific tissue undergoing activation or damage. The plasma membrane is considerate as a sensor of cell interactions with the microenvironment. Conclusion: Given these evidences, we can conclude that the releasing of MPs is an indicator of a physiological and/ or pathophysiological activation in CNS, and then these vesicles are strongly involved in various CNS disease such as stoke, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Movement is important for neuropsycho-physical development, ensuring the correct growth and giving many benefits from childhood to adulthood. Motor activity plays a pivotal role in psychological, educational and social terms: sport practice induces harmonious physical development with common important benefits independently from sport type and each sport imposes rules respect that children learns to know and respect step by step improving the social skills and cognitive abilities. Sport has a very important role in the growth of children and adolescents. Sport and physical activity work as a moral laboratory to practice decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as teamwork and cooperation. In many pathological conditions, the sport practice is strongly discouraged, as in epileptic patients for the negative consequences on their physical condition and psychic. In general, several studies reported that physical activity has positive influence on seizure frequency and severity. As a result, attitudes regarding sports and epilepsy have changed considerably in the last decades and presently, the risk of convulsive seizures during sports practice is minimal in case of well-managed epilepsy. Evaluating the control of convulsive disease is therefore a key point to allow sports in the children and adolescents.

Pregnancy is a physiological state during which the woman's body undergoes profound modifications. During this time, every woman must be nourished in such a way as to maintain herself in good health and at the same time allow the fetal tissues to form and develop in the best way. Proper nutrition is one of the fundamental prerequisites for the normal evolution of both pregnancy and fetal growth: the quantity and quality of food and drinks must be scrupulously controlled. Contrariwise, it is important to avoid the excess calories and macronutrients. In fact, during pregnancy, it may be just as harmful as their shortage, especially in overweight and obese women, for which the risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, fetal growth disorders and preeclampsia increases. The pasta constitutes the foundation of the Mediterranean diet food. The dough can be seen, therefore, so it represents an excellent ally of the diet from a nutritional point of view. The nutritional values of the pasta change depending on the type, based on the fact that the dough is traditional or integral semolina. It also contains Vitamin B and has an abundance of minerals, among which potassium. The pasta is an easily digestible food, ensuring energy ready to use (such as all carbohydrates); moreover, it possesses a great satiating power. In case of overweight, however, it is possible to reduce the number of carbohydrates in the diet, taking care not to make them ever miss. In conclusion, the consumption of pasta is very important during pregnancy: a diet without carbohydrates can be dangerous for all physiological pathways.

Orexin system regulates sleep/wake states and its deficiency result in narcolepsy thus indicating the crucial role of orexins in maintaining wakefulness. There are two types of orexin peptides: the orexin-A (OXA or hypocretin 1) and orexin-B (OXB or hypocre- tin 2). The Majority of the central nervous system orexin peptides are synthesized in neurons located in the lateral and back hypotha- lamus and send projections throughout the brain regions Orexin neurons are “multi-tasking” hence regulating also energy homeosta- sis, reward systems and feeding behaviour through connection with hypothalamic nuclei and through responsiveness to leptine and glucose. It has recently been found a connection with lymbic system suggesting a further possible role of orexins in regulating emo- tions. All the studies conducted confirm that orexin system regulates vigilance states, energy homeostasis, reward system, and emo- tions. These crucial role might be the target to develope treatments of narcolepsy, obesity, emotional stress, and drug addiction.

The consciousness is the expression of an enormous and complex variety of neurobiological events, phenomenological and psychological that, from the early stages of development, prepare the emergence soil of the Self. It is a complex of tangible and intan- gible characters distinct from one another - neural infrastructure, awareness, temporality, qualitative subjectivity, intentionality - to such an extent as to seem welded faces of the same prism. Consciousness is not a simple function of the mind, but its organization. In this paper we intend to show how its order is not strictly hierarchical, but sustained by multiple horizontal levels, each of which in a structural and functional continuum with several emerging phenomena. The same distinction between quantitative aspects (surveil- lance) and qualitative (content of consciousness) of consciousness is founded on the premise that the supervision is regulated by widespread in projection systems of the brain stem, hypothalamus and thalamus; while the content of consciousness depends on the cortical activity, and particularly from the associative areas of the cortex connected between them. The so-called disturbances of consciousness (vegetative state, the minimally conscious state, a coma, the Locked in syndrome) suggests the existence of an altera- tion of a common underlying system. Although the current heterogeneity of the data makes it impossible to attribute with certainty whether positive or negative about the alleged absence of consciousness in the individual patient, the search is deriving significant benefits from the accumulation of neuroimaging evidence in paintings like coma, general anesthesia , sleep, epilepsy and somnambu- lism. In this sense, it seems increasingly urgent a deeper understanding of the neural correlates during sleep or general anesthesia, as well as the relationships between neural processes and altered states of consciousness generated by pharmacological manipulations.

Glucose uptake in skeletal muscle is dependent on the translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the plasma membrane. The most important stimulators of glucose transport in skeletal muscle are insulin and exercise. Glucose uptake in skeletal muscle during exercise induces acceleration of many processes compared to the resting state. The scientific literature does not underline the role played by muscle contraction to increase glucose uptake with insulin-independent mechanisms. Search on Pub Med (May 05, 2015) using the key words "contraction and glucose uptake and muscle" gives 717 reports, while a search using the key words "insulin and glucose uptake and muscle" cites 5676 publications. The present paper describes the role of exercise in the muscle glucose uptake. Contraction of muscle induces GLUT4 translocation in the absence of insulin. There are different intracellular "pools" of GLUT4, one stimulated by insulin and another one stimulated by exercise. The roles exerted by AMPK, AICAR, calcium, NO, glycogen and hypoxia in the glucose uptake during exercise are emphasized. The effects of these phenomena on human wellness are reported.

Recent findings showed that obesity represent a risk factor to developingbrain illness such as cognitive impairments and psychopathological disorders. Weight increase additively afflicts brain structure of cognitively impaired patients but is linked with poor brain volumes even in healthysubjects. Further, several studies show that subjects with psychiatric disorders are more likely than general population to be obese. Hovewer, the process by which weight gain injures cognitive abilities and psychological well-being remain unclear.In this review we analyze the relationships between obesity andbrain illness and underline the role played by covariates to determine this link.

The Mediterranean diet has been recognized historical and cultural heritage of great importance, nutritional and culinary excellence to scratch. In the Mediterranean diet 50-60% of kilocalories should come from carbohydrates, 25-30% from lipids and the remaining 10-15% from protein, the dough thus represents the main source of complex carbohydrates, ideal energy source is essential for the daily activities ensuring the good health state. The beneficial properties and the nutritional values of pasta are numerous Pasta is a ally of the diet: satiating has great power and is an excellent solution for stress. It also contains vitamins of the B group essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system, the starch paste is free glucose, which promotes the synthesis of serotonin, which gives well-being. Some studies have shown that, among the carbohydrates, the pasta has the lowest glycemic index not therefore increases the levels of C-reactive protein, which proved to be correlated with cardiovascular risk does not increase the risk of hypertension because it contains very little sodium and fiber, the latter fundamental in the prevention of cancer.