Effect of Nutraceutical Supplementation and Mediterranean Hypocaloric Diet on Calculated Steatosis Indices and Inflammation: Clinical and In Vitro Evidences.

This study evaluated the effect of a nutraceutical supplementation (NS) and Mediterranean hypocaloric diet (MHD) on hepatic steatosis indices (HSIs), γ-glutamyl transferase (γGT), and lipid profile in adults with hyperlipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In vitro study on HepG2 cells explored potential molecular mechanisms. A retrospective study was conducted on 45 overweight/obese subjects (19 M) prescribed MHD with/without NS.

Obesity and obesity related disease in adulthood: the dark side of early life exposure to Environmental Chemical Disruptors.

Purpose: The present review aims to summarize and collect data in support of the obesogenic theory to broaden knowledge regarding the intriguing relationship between exposure to environmental chemical disruptors (EDCs), obesity and obesity related diseases.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature from 1990 to 2024 was performed in Pubmed using the word endocrine disruptor chemicals or obesogens and: adipose tissue, metabolic diseases, weight gain, gut microbiota.

Results: In the past, genetic factors, an unbalanced diet and a sedentary lifestyle were considered the only risk factors for obesity development.

Dietary Interventions for Breast Cancer Prevention: Exploring the Role of Nutrition in Primary and Tertiary Prevention Strategies.

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, necessitating effective prevention strategies. The current literature was scrutinized to investigate the impact of dietary factors, such as the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet on reducing the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, the potential role of diet in diminishing the risk of disease recurrence and enhancing outcomes among breast cancer survivors was explored.

A Close Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Foods and Adiposity in Adults in Southern Italy.

Background/objectives: One of the main culprits of the obesity epidemic is the obesogenic food environment, which promotes the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) that are highly palatable, have low nutritional quality and a high caloric impact and are economical and ready to use. This monocentric retrospective study explored the association between UPFs, obesity and adiposity measurements among adults living with obesity in Southern Italy.

Methods: According to their Body Mass Index (BMI) values, 175 participants (63M) were recruited and stratified into three groups.

Hypothalamic-Ovarian axis and Adiposity Relationship in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Physiopathology and Therapeutic Options for the Management of Metabolic and Inflammatory Aspects.

Purpose Of Review: The goal of the present review is to address the main adiposity-related alterations in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) focusing on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (H-P-O) axis and to provide an overview of nutraceutical and pharmacological therapeutic strategies.

Recent Findings: Female reproduction is a complex and delicate interplay between neuroendocrine signals involving the H-P-O axis. Elements that disrupt the balance of these interactions can lead to metabolic and reproductive disorders, such as PCOS.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy thought package-refill among HIV+ persons at "D. Cotugno" hospital, Naples, Italy.

Background: A gold-standard for the measurement of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is lacking. Aim of this study is to verify the feasibility of a package-refill-based measurement of ART at "D. Cotugno" hospital, Naples, Italy, and the factors associated to adherence.

Aquatic Pollution and Risks to Biodiversity: The Example of Cocaine Effects on the Ovaries of .

Pollution is one of the main causes of the loss of biodiversity, currently one of the most important environmental problems. Important sources of aquatic pollution are illicit drugs, whose presence in waters is closely related to human consumption; their psychoactive properties and biological activity suggest potential adverse effects on non-target organisms, such as aquatic biota. In this study, we evaluated the effect of an environmentally relevant concentration of cocaine (20 ng L−1), an illicit drug widely found in surface waters, on the ovaries of Anguilla anguilla, a species critically endangered and able to accumulate cocaine in its tissues following chronic exposure.

Cerebral pCREB-dependent social behavioral adversities following a short-term exposure to obesogenic diets in young hamsters.

Excessive fat and sugar intake represents a risk towards the development of different pathologies, such as obesity, diabetes, sociability and memory deficits. Although the adolescence stage is a susceptible period for these and other risks, effects of energy-dense nutrients in such an age period have not been fully investigated. In the present study, neurobehavioral alterations following a 4-week exposure to either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) plus normal water (NW) or liquid sugar (LS) were evaluated in young hamsters.

Alkyphenol Exposure Alters Steroidogenesis in Male Lizard .

Background: Nonylphenol (NP) and Octylphenol (OP) are persistent and non-biodegradable environmental contaminants classified as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs). These compounds are widely used in several industrial applications and present estrogen-like properties, which have extensively been studied in aquatic organisms. The present study aimed to verify the interference of these compounds alone, and in mixture, on the reproductive cycle of the male terrestrial vertebrate focusing mainly on the steroidogenesis process.

Endocrine disrupting effects of copper and cadmium in the oocytes of the Antarctic Emerald rockcod Trematomus bernacchii.

Antarctica has long been considered a continent free from anthropic interference. Unfortunately, recent evidence indicate that metal contamination has gone so far and that its effects are still unknown. For this reason, in the present work, the potential endocrine disrupting effect of two highly polluting metals, copper and cadmium, were examined in the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii.

Effects of environmental cocaine concentrations on COX and caspase-3 activity, GRP-78, ALT, CRP and blood glucose levels in the liver and kidney of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).

Cocaine is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world, and as a result of incomplete removal by sewage treatment plants it is found in surface waters, where it represents a new potential risk for aquatic organisms. In this study we evaluated the influence of environmental concentrations of cocaine on the liver and the kidney of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). The eels were exposed to 20 ng L of cocaine for fifty days, after which, three and ten days after the interruption of cocaine exposure their livers and kidneys were compared to controls.

Spermatogenesis and regulatory factors in the wall lizard Podarcis sicula.

Spermatogenesis is an extraordinarily complex process, regulated by several factors, which leads to the differentiation of spermatogonia into spermatozoa. Among vertebrates, several reports have been focused on the lizard Podarcis sicula, a seasonal breeder and a good model for the study of reproductive processes. The goal of this review is to resume all the available data about systemic and above all local control factors involved in the control of P.

Adrenal gland response to endocrine disrupting chemicals in fishes, amphibians and reptiles: A comparative overview.

The adrenal gland is an essential component of the body stress response; it is formed by two portions: a steroidogenic and a chromaffin tissue. Despite the anatomy of adrenal gland is different among classes of vertebrates, the hormones produced are almost the same. During stress, these hormones contribute to body homeostasis and maintenance of ion balance.

Effects of alkylphenols mixture on the adrenal gland of the lizard Podarcis sicula.

Alkylphenols (AP) are widespread environmental compounds belonging to the large family of substances known as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). The present study was carried out to assess the effects of Octylphenol (OP) alone and in combination with Nonylphenol (NP) on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) axis of the lizard Podarcis sicula. Lizards are good bioindicators due to their features such as wide distribution, large population and good sensitivity to contaminants.

Intrauterine exposure to diethylhexyl phthalate disrupts gap junctions in the fetal rat testis.

Fetal exposure to certain phthalate esters can disrupt testis development in rodents and lead to male reproductive disorders, but with a causal link less certain in humans. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most common phthalates found in the environment and in rodents it is known to induce serious testis toxicity, as well as male reproductive disorders including cryptorchidism, hypospadias, impaired spermatogenesis and reduced fertility. In this study, we show that perinatal DEHP exposure disrupts gap junction localization in fetal and postnatal rat testis and correlate these findings to morphological changes.

Immunolocalization of aromatase P450 in the epididymis of Podarcis sicula and Rattus rattus.

The goal of this study was to evaluate P450 aromatase localization in the epididymis of two different vertebrates: the lizard Podarcis sicula, a seasonal breeder, and Rattus rattus, a continuous breeder. P450 aromatase is a key enzyme involved in the local control of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis and we proved for the first time that this enzyme is represented in the epididymis of both P. sicula and R.

Nonylphenol acts on prostate adenocarcinoma cells via estrogen molecular pathways.

Estrogens play a role in the patho-physiology of the prostate. In the present work we studied the effects of nonylphenol (NP), a xenoestrogen, on human adenocarcinoma prostate cells (LNCaP). In order to understand molecular and cellular involvement, we observed the effects on cell cycle and we investigated the expression and the cellular localization of estrogen receptors and gene expression of cyclin D1, ki-67, c-myc, IL-8, IL-1β.

Orexin receptor expression is increased during mancozeb-induced feeding impairments and neurodegenerative events in a marine fish.

Food intake ensures energy resources sufficient for basic metabolism, immune system and reproductive investment. It is already known that food-seeking performances, which are crucially controlled by orexins (ORXs), may be under the influence of environmental factors including pollutants. Among these, mancozeb (mz) is becoming an environmental risk for neurodegenerative diseases.

Interference of dibutylphthalate on human prostate cell viability.

Dibutylphthalate (DBP) is an environmental pollutant widely used as plasticizer in a variety of industrial applications worldwide. This agent can be found in personal-care products, children's toy, pharmaceuticals, food products. Exposure to DBP can occur via ingestion and inhalation as well as intravenous or skin contact.

HSP90 and pCREB alterations are linked to mancozeb-dependent behavioral and neurodegenerative effects in a marine teleost.

The pesticide mancozeb (mz) is recognized as a potent inducer of oxidative stress due to its ability to catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species plus inhibiting mitochondrial respiration thus becoming an environmental risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Despite numerous toxicological studies on mz have been directed to mammals, attention on marine fish is still lacking. Thus, it was our intention to evaluate neurobehavioral activities of ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo) exposed to 0.

Nonylphenol effects on human prostate non tumorigenic cells.

Nonylphenol (NP) is an industrial chemical with estrogenic activity both in vivo and in vitro; estrogens play a critical role in the development of prostate and may be the cause of some pathological states, including cancer. In this study we examined the effects of NP on human prostate non tumorigenic epithelial cells (PNT1A) investigating on cell proliferation, interaction with estrogen receptors (ERs) and gene expression of genes involved in prostate diseases. We found that NP affects cell proliferation at 10(-6)M, promoting a cytoplasm-nucleus translocation of ERα and not ERβ, like the natural estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2).