Anna Aiello

What olive oil for healthy ageing

The olive tree originated in Asia Minor around 6000 years ago nd then spread to all the Mediterranean basin. Olive oil is extracted rom the pulp of its fruits [1–3]. Many studies show that the nutriional pattern of the so-called Mediterranean Diet is associated with lower incidence of age-related diseases related to inflammation nd oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s isease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer [4–7]. It is now clear that live oil, as a main source of fat, must play a key role in explaining he health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. So what is in olive oil? It is a complex mixture of over 200 ompounds. The composition depends on many factors which nclude geographical origin, weather and irrigation, ripening and rocessing after harvesting. Thus all olive oils are not all the same. he main constituents of olive oil are triglycerides, the so-called he saponifable fraction (98–99%). The three main fatty acids in he triglyceride fraction are a monounsaturated fatty acid (oleic cid), a saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid) and a polyunsaturated atty acid (linoleic acid) [1–3]. The remaining unsaponifable fracion (1–2%) contains about 230 components. These include: (i) ipophilic phenols (tocopherols) whose levels fall as olives mature; ii) sterols the main sterol being beta-sitosterol; (iii) colour pigents, mainly chlorophylls and carotenoids (the most important is eta-carotene); (iv) alcohols; (v) waxes, aldehydes, esters, ketones; nd (vi) phenolic compounds (hydrophilic phenols). The phenolic raction of olive oil are polyphenols of which there are 7 differnt subfamilies: anthocyanins, flavonoids, flavones, phenolic acids, henolic alcohols, acids and secoiridoids. Their amount is strongly nfluenced by the variety and the geographical origin of the olives. reek Koroneiki olives have a very high level of polyphenols, while he polyphenol content of the Spanish Arbequina variety is low nd the polyphenol content of Sicilian Nocellara is medium-high. In ddition oil produced from green olives contains more polyphenols han that obtained from more mature fruit. Furthermore heating, ethod of extraction, or long processing times and inappropriate torage and packaging can result in polyphenol loss.

Nutrient sensing pathways as therapeutic targets for healthy ageing

ABSTRACT Introduction: In the present paper, the authors have discussed anti-aging strategies which aim to slow the aging process and to delay the onset of age-related diseases, focusing on nutrient sensing pathways (NSPs) as therapeutic targets. Indeed, several studies have already demonstrated that both in animal models and humans, dietary interventions might have a positive impact on the aging process through the modulation of these pathways. Areas covered: Achieving healthy aging is the main challenge of the twenty-first century because lifespan is increasing, but not in tandem with good health. The authors have illustrated different approaches that can act on NSPs, modulating the rate of the aging process. Expert opinion: Humanity’s lasting dream is to reverse or, at least, postpone aging. In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to anti-aging therapies. The subject is very popular among the general public, whose imagination runs wild with all the possible tools to delay aging and to gain immortality. Some approaches discussed in the present review should be able to substantially slow down the aging process, extending our productive, youthful lives, without frailty.

Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Table Olives on the ImmuneInflammatory Responses: Potential Clinical Applications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the common element among the Mediterranean countries. It can be considered a nutraceutical and functional food, thanks to its bioactive compounds. It can act and modulate different processes linked to ageing and age-related diseases related to a common chronic low grade inflammation. Depending on the cultivar, the growth conditions, the period of harvesting, the productive process and time of product storage, EVOO could contain different amount of vegetal components. Of course, the same is for table olives. METHODS The aim of our review is to summarize the effects of EVOO and table olives on the immunemediated inflammatory response, focusing our attention on human studies. RESULTS Our report highlights the effect of specific molecules obtained from EVOO on the modulation of specific cytokines and anti-oxidants suggesting the importance of the daily consumption of both EVOO and table olives in the context of a Mediterranean dietary pattern. In addition, the different action on immune-inflammatory biomarkers, are depending on the olive tree cultivar. CONCLUSION Thanks to their bioactive compounds, EVOO and table olive can be considered as nutraceutical and functional foods. The beneficial effects analysed in this review will help to understand the potential application of specific olive components as therapeutic adjuvant, supplements or drugs.

HLA and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIRs) genotyping in patients with acute viral encephalitis

Introduction The HLA genes, as well as the innate immune KIR genes, are considered relevant determinants of viral outcomes but no study, to our knowledge, has evaluated their role in the clinical setting of acute viral encephalitis. Results Subjects with acute viral encephalitis in comparison to subjects without acute viral encephalitis showed a significantly higher frequency of 2DL1 KIR gene and AA KIR haplotypes and of HLA-C2 and HLA-A-Bw4 alleles. Subjects without acute viral encephalitis showed a higher frequency of interaction between KIR2DL2 and HLAC1. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed the detrimental effect of HLA-A haplotype and HLA-C1, HLA-A-BW4 HLA-B-BW4T alleles, whereas multiple logistic regression showed a protective effect of AB+BB KIR haplotype and a detrimental effect of interaction between KIR3DL1 and HLA-A-Bw4. Discussion Our findings of a lower frequency of activating receptors in patients with acute encephalitis compared to controls could result in a less efficient response of NK cells. This finding could represent a possible pathogenetic explanation of susceptibility to acute symptomatic encephalitis in patients with viral infection from potentially responsible viruses such as Herpes virus. Materials and Methods 30 Consecutive patients with symptomatic acute viral encephalitis and as controls, 36 consecutive subjects without acute encephalitis were analyzed. The following KIR genes were analyzed, KIR2DL1, 2DL2, 2DL3, 2DL5, 3DL1, 3DL2, 3DL3, 2DL4, 2DS1, 2DS2, 2DS3, 2DS4, 2DS5, 3DS1, 2 pseudogenes (2DP1 and 3DP1) and the common variants of KIR2DL5 (KIR2DL5A, KIR2DL5B).

Association between γ marker, human leucocyte antigens and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and the natural course of human cytomegalovirus infection: a pilot study performed in a Sicilian population

Natural killer (NK) cells provide a major defence against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection through the interaction of their surface receptors, including the activating and inhibitory killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs), and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Also γ marker (GM) allotypes, able to influence the NK antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity, appear to be involved in the immunological control of virus infections, including HCMV. In some cases, their contribution requires epistatic interaction with other genes of the immune system, such as HLA. In the present report, with the aim of gaining insight into the immune mechanisms controlling HCMV, we have studied the possible associations among humoral and NK responses, and HCMV infections. In a previous study we assessed whether the KIR and HLA repertoire might influence the risk of developing symptomatic (n = 60) or asymptomatic (n = 60) disease after primary HCMV infection in the immunocompetent host. In the present study, the immunocompetent patients with primary symptomatic HCMV infection were genotyped for GM3/17 and GM23 allotypes, along with the 60 participants with a previous asymptomatic infection as controls. Notwithstanding the presence of missing data record, advanced missing data recovery techniques were able to show that individuals carrying the GM23 allotypes, both homozygous and heterozygous, GM17/17, HLA‐C2 and Bw4T KIR‐ligand groups are associated with the risk of developing symptomatic infection. Our findings on the role of both cellular and humoral immunity in the control of HCMV infection should be of value in guiding efforts to reduce HCMV‐associated health complications in the elderly, including immunosenescence, and in transplantation.

HLA-C1 ligands are associated with increased susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus

Recently, the role of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) in autoimmune diseases has received increasing attention. The present study was undertaken to determine the association of KIR genes and the human leukocytes antigen (HLA) ligands with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and accompanying oxidative stress. Presence or absence of 17 KIR and 5 HLA loci was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) method by case-control study. A total of 45 SLE patients, and 60 healthy controls, all of Sicilian descent, were enrolled. Plasma values of the anti-oxidant molecule Taurine were determined in all subjects by capillary electrophoresis UV detection. The carrier frequency of the KIR2DS2 gene was significantly increased in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (73.3 versus 45.0%; OR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.46-7.74; p = .005) suggesting a role of KIR2DS2 gene in the susceptibility to disease. We also observed a strong positive association between the presence of HLA-C1 ligands group and the disease (82.2% in SLE patients versus 41.7% in controls; OR = 6.47, 95% CI = 2.58-16.26; p < .0001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis supported the effect of the HLA-C1 ligands in SLE patients (OR = 7.06, 95% CI = 0.07-2.19; p = .002), while the KIR genes were no longer significant. Interestingly, we found that SLE patients HLA-C1 positive showed significantly decreased plasma levels of antioxidant activity marker Taurine (69.38 ± 28.49 μmol/L) compared to SLE patients HLA-C1 negative (108.37 ± 86.09 μmol/L) (p = .03). In conclusion, HLA-C1 ligands group was significantly associated with an increased risk of SLE as well as an increased oxidative stress status overall in SLE patients.

Translation of Basic Research into Clinics: Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors Genes in Autoimmune and Infectious Diseases

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the activation of natural killer cells through their interaction with human leucocyte antigens (HLA). KIRs and HLA loci are highly polymorphic, and some of their combinations have been found to protect against viral infections or to predispose to autoimmune disorders. In particular, some activating KIRs profiles may be detrimental in autoimmune pathogenesis, and specific KIRs may be particularly aggressive in the clearance of different microorganisms, protecting individuals in the control of a given pathogen. So, considering that in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune disorders and infections innate immunity plays a key role, the recent development for KIRs characterization, diseases monitoring, and treatment becomes obvious. Here, we reviewed a growing body of evidence supporting the influence of KIRs variants and their interaction with ligands in the development of the main human autoimmune and viral diseases, highlighting the main applications in clinical practice.

Sicilian centenarian offspring are more resistant to immune ageing

BackgroundImmunosenescence constitutes a major indirect cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Previous analysis of immune signatures in a cohort of centenarian offspring showed an intermediate immunophenotype between age-matched and younger controls.AimsTo confirm and extend the previous studies performing further phenotypical analysis in centenarian offspring and controls.MethodsAnalysis of Treg cells, γδ T cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, and senescent immune T cells was performed in centenarian offspring and controls.ResultsWe report significant differences between elderly and centenarian offspring in most of the studied subsets, showing that centenarian offspring subsets present an intermediate phenotyping between elderly and younger people.ConclusionThe whole present data confirm and extend the previous results showing that centenarian offspring retain more youthful immunological parameters and that the exhaustion of the immune system is less evident than in elderly without centenarian parents, though further investigations are warranted.