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Featured researches published by Ardesio Floridi.


Cephalalgia | 1995

Vasoactive Peptide Levels in The Plasma of Young Migraine Patients With and Without Aura Assessed Both Interictally and Ictally

Virgilio Gallai; Paola Sarchielli; Ardesio Floridi; Maristella Franceschini; M Codini; G Glioti; A Trequattrini; R. Palumbo

We measured, by RIA methods, ictal and interictal levels of substance P (SP), calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) and neurokinin A (NKA) in the plasma of 30 young migraine patients with aura (MPA) and 45 migraine patients without aura (MWA), and compared the results with those of 30 age-matched controls. There were no significant differences between the levels of these vasoactive peptides in the control group and the levels in both migraine groups studied in headache-free periods. An elevation of CGRP levels in plasma was found during attacks in MPA and, to a lesser extent, in MWA (p < 0.03 and p < 0.05, respectively). A significant increase in NKA levels was also demonstrated in the MPA and MWA groups (p < 0.02 and p < 0.04, respectively). These data suggest, although indirectly, that CGRP and NKA could be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks in juvenile migraine patients.


Journal of Neuroimmunology | 1995

Cytokine secretion and eicosanoid production in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of MS patients undergoing dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Virgilio Gallai; Paola Sarchielli; Alberto Trequattrini; Maristella Franceschini; Ardesio Floridi; Caterina Firenze; Andrea Alberti; Daniela Di Benedetto; Eduardo Stragliotto

To demonstrate the influence of n-3 PUFA supplementation on cytokine and eicosanoid production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of MS patients (MSP), we investigated the impact of a 6-month dietary supplementation with these fatty acids on the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the supernatants of stimulated PBMCs and serum soluble IL-2 receptors in a group of 20 relapsing-remitting (R-R) MSP and a group of 15 age-matched control individuals (CI). The production of PGE2 and LTB4 in the stimulated PBMCs was also assessed in patient and control groups supplemented with n-3 PUFAs. In both groups, n-3 PUFA supplementation led to a significant decrease in the levels of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, and this reduction was more pronounced in the 3rd and 6th month of supplementation. An analogous decrease was observed in the levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma produced by stimulated PBMCs, and in the levels of serum soluble IL-2 receptors. n-3 PUFA supplementation also appeared to significantly affect prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production in PBMCs, both in MSP and the control group. The reduced production of these proinflammatory eicosanoids, and the decrease of some cytokines with an immunohenancing effect as a consequence of n-3 PUFA supplementation, could modulate some immune functions which have been demonstrated to be altered in MSP.


Cephalalgia | 2000

Nitric oxide metabolites, prostaglandins and trigeminal vasoactive peptides in internal jugular vein blood during spontaneous migraine attacks

Paola Sarchielli; Andrea Alberti; Michela Codini; Ardesio Floridi; Virgilio Gallai

Despite evidence emerging from the experimental model of nitroglycerin-induced headache, the endogenous increase in nitric oxide (NO) production during migraine attacks is only speculative. It has been hypothesized that there is a close relationship between activation of the l-arginine/NO pathway and production of certain vasoactive and algogenic prostaglandins during spontaneous migraine attacks, but this suggestion also needs to be confirmed. In the present study the levels of nitrites, the stable metabolites of NO, were determined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the internal jugular venous blood of five patients affected by migraine without aura examined ictally. These samples were taken within 30 min, 1, 2, and 4 h from the onset of the attack and at the end of the ictal period. At the same time, the plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6 keto PGF1α, the stable product of PGI2, were assessed with radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits in the same samples. The levels of the intracellular messengers, cGMP and cAMP, were also measured with the RIA method. Nitrite, cGMP, CGRP and NKA levels reached their highest values at the first hour, then they tended to decrease progressively and returned, after the end of attacks, to values similar or below those detected at the time of catheter insertion (anova, statistical significance: P < 0.001; P < 0.002; P < 0.002; P < 0.003, respectively). PGE2 and 6 keto PGF1α, as well as cAMP levels also significantly increased at the first hour but reached a peak at the 2nd hour and remained in the same range until the 4th and 6th hours. Then their values tended to decrease after the end of attacks, becoming lower than those measured immediately after catheter positioning for internal jugular venous blood drawing (anova: P < 0.002, P < 0.004, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results support early activation of the l-arginine/NO pathway which accompanies the release of vasoactive peptides from trigeminal endings and a late rise in the synthesis of prostanoids with algogenic and vasoactive properties which may intervene in maintaining the headache phase.


Contributions To Nephrology | 2005

Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species.

Francesco Galli; Marta Piroddi; Claudia Annetti; Cristina Aisa; Emanuela Floridi; Ardesio Floridi

This article discusses different aspects concerning classification/nomenclature, biochemical properties and pathophysiological roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are pivotal to interpret the concept of oxidative stress. In vitro studies in both the prokaryotes and eukaryotes clearly demonstrate that exogenous or constitutive and inducible endogenous sources of ROS together with cofactors such as transition metals can damage virtually all the biomolecules. This adverse chemistry is at the origin of structural and metabolic defects that ultimately may lead to cell dysfunction and death as underlying mechanisms in tissue degeneration processes. The same biomolecular interpretation of aging has been proposed to embodies an oxidative stress-based process and oxidative stress may virtually accompany all the inflammatory events. As a consequence, ROS have proposed to play several roles in the pathogenesis of chronic-degenerative conditions, such as athero-thrombotic events, neurodegeneration, cancer, some forms of anemia, auto-immune diseases, and the entire comorbidity of uremia and diabetes. Nowadays, the chance to investigate biochemical and toxicological aspects of ROS with advanced biomolecular tools has, if needed, still more emphasized the interest on this area of biomedicine. These technological advancements and the huge information available in literature represent in our time a challenge to further understand the clinical meaning of oxidative stress and to develop specific therapeutic strategies.


Journal of Sleep Research | 2003

Plasma cytokine levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a preliminary study

Andrea Alberti; Paola Sarchielli; Elisabetta Gallinella; Ardesio Floridi; Alessandro Floridi; Giovanni Mazzotta; Virgilio Gallai

The levels of some pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, IL‐6, IL‐10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β], were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in the plasma of patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) at 22:00 hours before polysomnographic recording and immediately after the first obstructive apnea causing an SaO2 below 85%. Significantly higher levels of TNF‐α were found in OSAS patients assessed before polysomnography compared with the control group (P < 0.01). A slight but significant increase in the plasma levels of IL‐6 was also present (P < 0.05). Conversely, a significant decrease in the plasma levels of IL‐10 was evident at baseline in OSAS patients (P < 0.04). No significant difference emerged between the mean values of IL‐1α and TGF‐β between OSAS patients and controls. The present data support a prevailing activation of the Th1‐type cytokine pattern in OSAS patients, which is not associated with the severity and duration of OSAS. This can have important consequences for the outcome of OSAS patients, especially with regard to the increased risk for developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Immediately after the first obstructive apnea causing an SaO2 <85%, a significant variation was observed in the plasma levels of TNF‐α in OSAS patients compared with those measured before the beginning of polysomnographic recording (P < 0.001). The role played by this further increase in TNF‐α levels after the obstructive apnea in OSAS patients remains to be established in the light of the pathogenic mechanisms of this sleep disorder.


Neurology | 2001

Levels of nerve growth factor in cerebrospinal fluid of chronic daily headache patients

Paola Sarchielli; Andrea Alberti; Ardesio Floridi; Virgilio Gallai

Nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were determined in the CSF of patients with chronic daily headache (CDH) and correlated with levels of sensory neuropeptides. Patients with CDH showed higher NGF levels in the CSF compared with control subjects (p < 0.0001). Higher CSF levels of substance P (SP) (p < 0.002) and calcitonin-gene–related peptide (CGRP) (p < 0.0001) were also found. There was a significant positive correlation between NGF and both SP and CGRP values. These findings suggest that NGF is involved in the long-lasting sensitization and sustained activation of the trigeminal system in CDH.


Journal of Neuroimmunology | 2002

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with multiple sclerosis

Paola Sarchielli; Laura Greco; Antonio Stipa; Ardesio Floridi; Virgilio Gallai

UNLABELLED The aim of the present research was to verify the production of BDNF by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), unstimulated and stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), anti-OKT3 Ab and myelin basic protein (MBP), in 35 patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), 20 with relapsing-remitting (R-R) MS and 15 with secondary progressive (SP) MS. Seven R-R MS patients were assessed during the attack, in the subsequent recovery phase and also 3 months after relapse. The production of BDNF by PBMCs was also evaluated in 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Levels of BDNF were also determined in CSF of both patient groups and 20 control subjects. RESULTS Levels of BDNF (pg/ml) in the supernatants of unstimulated and PHA-, anti-OKT3 Ab- and MBP-stimulated PBMCs in patients with R-R MS were significantly higher during relapse and in the recovery phase compared with values detected in the stable phase of the disease. Significantly lower BDNF values were found in unstimulated and stimulated PBMC supernatants of patients with SP MS compared to control subjects. This reduction was greater in patients with a 1-point increase in the EDSS score in the last 6 months compared with that in patients without a progression of the disability score. Reduction in the levels of BDNF was also confirmed in the CSF of SP MS patients compared with R-R MS patients assessed during a stable phase of the disease and control subjects. DISCUSSION On the basis of recent experimental findings, a neuroprotective effect of BDNF produced by inflammatory cells can be hypothesized during relapses in MS. This can favor remyelination. The reduced production of BDNF by PBMCs of patients with SP MS can contribute to the progression of demyelinating disease and axonal loss in this form.


Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences | 2004

γ‐Tocotrienol Metabolism and Antiproliferative Effect in Prostate Cancer Cells

Carmela Conte; Alessandro Floridi; Cristina Aisa; Marta Piroddi; Ardesio Floridi; Francesco Galli

Abstract: In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative effect of tocotrienols (T3) and the presence of a specific vitamin E metabolism in PC3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. These cell lines are able to transform tocopherols (T) and T3 in the corresponding carboxyethyl‐hydroxychromans metabolites (CEHCs). The extent of this metabolism and the inhibitory effect on cell growth followed the order of magnitude α‐T


Cephalalgia | 2003

Glutamate and nitric oxide pathway in chronic daily headache: evidence from cerebrospinal fluid

Virgilio Gallai; Andrea Alberti; B Gallai; Francesca Coppola; Ardesio Floridi; Paola Sarchielli

A central sensitization has been advocated to explain chronic daily headache (CDH) due to sustained peripheral sensitization of algogenic structures responsible for sustained trigeminovascular system activation. Several mechanisms have been suggested to underlie central sensitization, but have been poorly investigated in CDH. They involve N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation and nitric oxide (NO) production and supersensitivity and increased and maintained production of sensory neuropeptides. The present study supports the above pathogenic mechanisms demonstrating a significant increase in glutamate and nitrite levels in the CSF of CDH patients, without a significant difference between patients without and those with analgesic overuse headache (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.002). The increase in CSF nitrites was accompanied by a significant rise in the CSF values of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in patients in comparison with controls (P < 0.0001). A statistically significant correlation emerged between visual analogic scale (VAS) values and glutamate, nitrites and cGMP. Although substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and to a lesser extent neurokinin A, were significantly increased in CSF compared with control subjects, their values did not correlate with glutamate, nitrites and cGMP levels in CSF in the patient group. The present study confirms the involvement of glutamate-NO-cGMP-mediated events underlying chronic head pain that could be the target of a new therapeutic approach which should be investigated.


Acta Neurologica Scandinavica | 1996

L‐arginine/nitric oxide pathway activation in platelets of migraine patients with and without aura

Virgilio Gallai; Ardesio Floridi; G. Mazzotta; M. Codini; M. Tognoloni; M. R. Vulcano; M. Sartori; S. Russo; Andrea Alberti; F. Michele; Paola Sarchielli

Nitric oxide (NO) in platelets has been proposed as a promising tool for studying NO variations in migraine. In the present research the platelet response to collagen and the basal and collagen‐induced production of NO and cGMP in platelet cytosol were assessed in migraine patients (25 with aura and 35 without aura) both interictally and ictally, and compared with the same parameters in 30 age‐matched control subjects. A reduced responsiveness to collagen was found in migraine patients, particularly those with aura, and this was more marked during attacks (ANOVA interictal periods: p<0.01, attacks: p<0.02) The basal and collagen‐stimulated production of NO and cGMP in the platelet cytosol was significantly higher in migraine patients with aura assessed in interictal periods than in control subjects, and this production was further increased during attacks (interictal period: NO ANOVA: p<0.001, ictal period: p<0.01; cGMP: interictal period p<0.01, ictal period: p<0.02). The increase in platelet NO and cGMP production was also evident, though to a lesser extent, in migraine patients without aura. The present research supports the hypothesis of an activation of the L‐arginine/NO pathway in migraine patients, especially those with aura, and confirms the findings of a previous study of increased levels of L‐arginine in platelets of migraine patients studied in headache free‐periods, and decreased collagen aggregation in whole blood.

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