Anna Maria Stabile

University of Perugia | UNIPG · Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences

Aim: Force expression is characterized by an interplay of biological and molecu- lar determinants that are expected to differentiate males and females in terms of maximal performance. These include muscle characteristics (muscle size, fiber type, contractility), neuromuscular regulation (central and peripheral factors of force expression), and indi...

Objective Protein–energy malnutrition and the subsequent muscle wasting (sarcopenia) are common ageing complications. It is knowing to be also associated with dementia. Our programme will test the cytoprotective functions of vitamin E combined with the cortisol-lowering effect of chocolate polyphenols (PP), in combination with muscle anabolic effec...

Nerve growth factor (NGF) signalling affects spermatogenesis and mature sperm traits. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the distribution and the role of NGF and its receptors (p75NTR and TrKA) on the reproductive apparatus (testis and epididymis) and sperm of fertile men (F) and men with different pathologies, namely varicocele (V) and urogenital...

Anatomic studies have traditionally relied on macroscopic, microscopic, and histological techniques to investigate the structure of tissues and organs. Anatomic studies are essential in many fields, including medicine, biology, and veterinary science. Advances in technology, such as imaging techniques and molecular biology, continue to provide new...

This chapter describes ex vivo isolation of human T cells and of naïve splenocytes respectively collected from multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis-affected mice. After the magnetic sorting of naïve and activated T helper lymphocytes, we provide details about the cell cultures to measure the...

Ruggero Oddi was a talented scientist who initiated the modern era of biliary system physiology, not only with the anatomical discovery of the hepatopancreatic sphincter, but also with the detailed description of its spinal center and nerve regulation. However, his personal and scientific life were determined by an incredible series of unfortunate...

Introduction Among substances released into the environment by anthropogenic activities, the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is known to induce severe testicular injury causing male subfertility/infertility. Zinc (Zn) is another heavy metal that, unlike Cd, is physiologically present in the testis, being essential for spermatogenesis. We aimed to examine...

Absent or reduced physical activity and spontaneous movement over days, weeks, or even years may lead to problems in almost every major organ/system in the human body. In this study, we investigated whether the dysregulation and alteration of plasma protein inflammatory profiling can stratify chronic bedridden conditions observed in 22 elderly chro...

Wheat germ oil (WGO) is rich in α-tocopherol (vitamin E, VE), a vitamin that has long been suggested to exert hepatoprotective effects. In this study, this function of WGO-VE and its transcriptomics fingerprint were investigated in comparison with RRR−α-tocopherol and all-rac-α-tocopherol (nVE and sVE, respectively), in human liver cells treated wi...

The aim of our study was to investigate the plasma NGF concentration and TrkA/p75NTR receptor expression on white blood cells (WBCs), in peripheral and corpus cavernosum blood isolated from patients with erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome (ED/MetS). This was a pilot case–control study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: men 18–65 years wi...

Melatonin (MLT) is a cytoprotective agent holding potential to prevent cadmium (Cd) toxicity and its impact in testicular function and fertility. Such potential was explored for the first time in porcine pre‐pubertal Sertoli cells (SCs). Cd toxicity in SCs resulted in impaired viability and function, abnormal H2O2 generation and efflux, and inducti...

Background: Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) plays an important role in the reproductive system through its receptor's interaction (p75NTR). This paper aims to analyze the impact of NGF p75NTR in epididymal and ejaculated rabbit semen during in vitro sperm storage. Methods: Semen samples from 10 adult rabbit bucks were collected four times (n = 40) and...

Background: Healthcare-associated infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens are associated with increased mortality and morbidity among hospitalized patients. Inanimate surfaces, and in particular high-touch surfaces, have often been described as the source for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. The present work aimed to evaluate...

Unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are aspects of SARS‐CoV‐2‐host cell interaction with proposed role in the cytopathic and inflammatory pathogenesis of this viral infection. The role of the NF‐kB pathway in these cellular processes remains poorly characterized. When investigated in VERO‐E6 cells, SARS‐CoV‐2 infec...

Viral infections sustain their replication cycle promoting a pro-oxidant environment in the host cell. In this context, specific alterations of the levels and homeostatic function of the tripeptide glutathione have been reported to play a causal role in the pro-oxidant and cytopathic effects (CPE) of the virus. In this study, these aspects were inv...

The aim of this study was to establish the persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on inanimate surfaces such as plastic, stainless steel, and glass during UV-C irradiation which is a physical means commonly utilized in sanitization procedures. The viral inactivation rate, virus half-life, and percentage of titer...

The metabolism of α-tocopherol (α-TOH, vitamin E) shows marked interindividual variability, which may influence the response to nutritional and therapeutic interventions with this vitamin. Recently, new metabolomics protocols have fostered the possibility to explore such variability for the different metabolites of α-TOH so far identified in human...

The nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophins family, plays an important role in the nervous system but also in the reproductive apparatus and in sperm traits. The aim of this review is to summarize the effect of NGF on sperm functions of mammals. NGF was detected in seminal plasma of many animal species and its receptors, TrkA and p...

Background: The nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophins family, plays an important role not only in the nervous but also in other non-nervous systems such as the reproductive system. The aim of the paper is to study the in vitro effect of NGF on rabbit sperm functions. Methods: Ten adult rabbit bucks were collected five times, a...

Recent literature highlights the importance of identifying factors associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Actual validated biomarkers include neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid assessments; however, we investigated non-Aβ-dependent factors associated with dementia in 12 MCI and 30 AD patients. Patients were...

Background Lidocaine (LD) is one of the most commonly used local anesthetics for performing arthroscopic surgery and managing of osteoarthritic pain in both human and veterinary medicine. However, over the last years, several studies have focused on the chondrotoxic effects of LD. In order to ensure that intra-articular lidocaine is safe to use, tr...

Background In aging, cerebral and systemic circulation decline likewise to cognitive decline. Also, reduced availability of nitric oxide (NO) in both cerebral and peripheral blood vessels results in further alterations of circulation. Therefore, changes in circulation and NO availability may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD)...

PurposeHuman melanoma is a highly aggressive incurable cancer due to intrinsic cellular resistance to apoptosis, reprogramming, proliferation and survival during tumour progression. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables, plays a role in carcinogenesis in many cancer types. However, the cytotoxic molecular mechanisms...

Advanced aging, vascular dysfunction, and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability are recognized risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the contribution of AD, per se, to this putative pathophysiological mechanism is still unclear. To better answer this point, we quantified cortical perfusion with arterial spin labeling (PVC-CBF), measured u...

The addition of aminopeptidase inhibitors (AMIs) to rabbit semen extenders could be a solution to decrease the hormone degradation (GnRH) by the aminopeptidases existing in the seminal plasma. Therefore, the quantity of GnRH needed to induce ovulation in doe would be comparable with the amount administered intramuscularly (i.m.). This study was con...

The association of lysosomal dysfunction and neurodegeneration has been documented in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Herein, we investigate the association of lysosomal enzymes with AD at different stages of progression of the disease (mild and severe) or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We conducted a...

Objective: To assess the effects of xylazine and dexmedetomidine on equine chondrocytes, in vitro. Study design: Prospective, experimental study. Study material: Equine articular chondrocytes from five male horses. Methods: Chondrocytes were isolated from healthy equine articular cartilage of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints. Cell vi...

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most common form of non traumatic joint disease. Previous studies have shown the involvement of β-NGF and its receptors TrKA and p75NTR in OA-related pain, but their role in its pathogenesis is still unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the amount of β-NGF and the expression levels of its receptors...

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is characterized by the deposition of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and by neuroinflammation. During the pathogenesis of AD, monocyte-macrophage lineage cells become increasingly ineffective in clearing Aβ deposits, less able to differenti...

Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a severe neoplasia resistant to conventional therapies. In previous studies, we have shown that human SK-UT-1 (ATCC HTB114) uterine leiomyosarcoma cell line secretes nerve growth factor (NGF) and expresses its receptors tyrosine kinase A receptor (TrKA) and low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75NTR). Furthermore, w...

Nerve Growth Factor and its receptors, TrkA and p75NTR, are involved in inflammation and airways diseases, but their role in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is still unclear and not well investigated. Our data indicate the stage dependent variation of Nerve Growth Factor and its receptors in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease progression....

Contents Experiments were devised to characterize the expression of nerve growth factor, beta polypeptide ( NGF ), and its cognate receptors neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 ( NTRK 1) and nerve growth factor receptor ( NGFR ) in rabbit male sex organs, as well as the concentrations of NGF in both seminal and blood plasma of sexually mat...

Nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors, TrKA and p75, are being investigated in cancer therapy. Our previous data show that, in HTB114 uterine leiomyosarcoma cells, p75-dependent apoptosis is inducible by cytotoxic drugs and can suppress nerve growth factor-dependent growth. Although amitriptyline can kill cancer cells and bind TrKA/B, its effects on...

Neurotrophins (NTs) and their receptors, TrKs and p75NTR, have been shown to regulate proliferation and apoptosis of neoplastic cells. Pharmacological TrK blockade is considered a valuable target in cancer therapy, and several TrK inhibitors are under investigation. However, only a few of them have reached the stage of clinical development. Myosarc...

In inflammatory pulmonary diseases, cigarette smoking is a major risk factor influencing the phenotype of immune cells and their functions (Arnson et al., 2010). Nicotine is a relevant constituent of cigarette smoking and, on monocytes, it binds nicotinic acetylcholine receptors inducing a quantitative increase in the levels of CD14 and a decrease...

The localization of low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75) in prostate carcinogenesis is still unclear. Our aim was to reinvestigate the localization of p75 in normal and pathological prostate and to check a possible correlation to neoplastic grading. Specimens from 33 prostate cancers and from normal prostatic tissue were analyzed for p75...

Introduzione Nei corsi di Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia il Progress Test è sicuramente passato, nell'arco di pochi anni, da una fase di sperimentazione, limitata a poche sedi par-ticolarmente sensibili a testare nuovi modelli valutativi, ad una fase di generale consenso sul suo ruolo di effet-tivo e valido strumento di misurazione delle capacità d...

Review of literature has shown an increased rate of thrombotic complications in diabetic patients with frequent episodes of hyperketonemia. However, the mechanisms by which ketosis promotes vascular disease in diabetic patients are unclear. It was the aim of this study to investigate early changes in haemostatic parameters and oxidative stress mark...

Administration of prohibited substances to enhance athletic performance represents an emerging medical, social, ethical and legal issue. Traditional controls are based on direct detection of substances or their catabolites. However out-of-competition doping may not be easily revealed by standard analytical methods. Alternative indirect control stra...

Neurotrophins, originally identified as neuronal survival and differentiation factors, exert their actions through tyrosine kinase receptors such as TrKA, in the case of the nerve growth factor. Neurotrophins also interact with p75, a common receptor devoid of kinase activity and connected to apoptosis. Here we show that nerve growth factor, TrKA a...

It is known that gamma-tocopherol inhibits human prostate cancer cell proliferation via down-regulation of cyclin-related signalling but tocopherol and tocotrienol metabolites with a shortened phytyl chain, carboxyethyl hydroxychromans, were not previously investigated as anti-proliferative agents. In this study, the effect of the two main tocopher...

In the search for a more acceptable route of heparin administration that can also be used for long-term treatment, we evaluated the bioavailability and antithrombotic activity of intraduodenal administration of unfractioned heparin (UFH) in rats. A radioiodinate derivative of UFH was administered intraduodenally in rats in conjunction with unlabele...

Since the first report by Trousseau in 1865, several experimental and clinical studies have established that activation of coagulation is common in cancer. However, the biochemical basis of the activation of coagulation in cancer patients is still not completely understood. The current most accepted opinion is that initiation of coagulation in mali...