Barbara Pampaloni

Humic marine matter and insoluble materials in Antarctic snow

Abstract The aim of the present work is to show that the insoluble components of marine origin are always present, together with the soluble ones, in both the coarse fraction and in the fine fraction of the marine aerosol and that they make up a non negligible part of the insoluble material in Antarctic snow. The results obtained show that a large proportion of the insoluble matter present in high altitude Antarctic snow consists of marine organic matter involved in the aerosolization process and that the thermolabile fraction (4000C), largely consisting of fulvic acids, increases with increasing altitude. The effect of distance from the sea coast is harder to demonstrate for particulate fulvic acids at least over the short distances investigated herein (150 km) and owing to the complex orography of the sample areas.

Calcium bioavailability from a calcium-rich mineral water, with some observations on method.

Goals The study was designed to determine whether high-calcium mineral water is an efficient additional source of dietary calcium, optimizing a method for calcium determination never used for mineral waters. Background It is generally agreed that an adequate calcium intake is necessary for the acquisition of an ideal peak bone mass and for the maintenance of the bone mineral density in adults, in postmenopausal women, and in the elderly. Mineral waters are calorie free, and some, with high calcium levels, might be significant sources of calcium. Study The availability of the calcium contained in a high-calcium mineral water was measured in 27 healthy subjects. In 8 subjects the calcium availability of the water was compared with the calcium availability ingested with milk at the same calcium load. Milk and water were labeled extrinsically with 30 mg 44Ca. Fractional absorption from the oral dose was determined from plasma samples using ICP-MS technique. Results At an ingested calcium load of 3.18 mmol, percentage of absorption for water averaged 22.53 ± 2.53 (mean ± SD) for men, 22.57 ± 2.10 (mean ± SD) for premenopausal women and 21.62 ± 3.12 (mean ± SD) for postmenopausal women. Percentage absorption from milk was 23.15 ± 4.06 (mean ± SD). Discussion The calcium from the mineral water is thus highly bioavailable, at least as bioavailable as milk calcium, and ICP-MS appears to represent a reliable and reproducible method for calcium absorption from alimentary sources.

In vitro effects of polyphenols on colorectal cancer cells

AIM To investigate the effects of quercetin and genistein on colon cancer cell proliferation and their estrogen receptor β (ERβ) expression. METHODS Colon cancer cells were stably transfected with a mammalian expression vector to overexpress ERβ (HCT8-β8-expressing cells) or a control vector (HCT8-pSV2neo-expressing cells). The proliferation of these cells was examined after treatment with quercetin or genistein (5-100 μmol/L), or 10 nmol/L 17β-estradiol (17β-E2). Cell viability was examined by acridine orange staining following treatments for 48 or 144 h. Effects of quercetin and genistein on ERβ transcriptional transactivation were examined by luciferase activity in HCT8-β8-expressing cells transiently transfected with a pEREtkLUC reporter vector. In addition, the regulation of ERβ transcription by phytoestrogens and 17β-E2 was examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Proliferation of HCT8-β8-expressing cells was not reduced low doses (5 μmol/L) of quercetin and genistein, while it was reduced at 25-50 μmol/L with an effect similar to 10 nmol/L 17β-E2. Treatment with doses of phytoestrogens ≥ 75 μmol/L completely blocked cell growth and reduced overall cell counts, however no effects at any dose were observed in HCT8-pSV2neo-expressing cells. These results were supported by viability staining that revealed acridine orange-stained lysosomes with high doses or extended treatment periods. Genistein and quercetin (50 μmol/L) significantly increased ER-responsive luciferase activity similar to 10 nmol/L 17β-E2 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, genistein and quercetin (50 μmol/L), as well as 10 nmol/L 17β-E2 significantly increased ERβ mRNA levels in HCT8-β8-expressing cells (P < 0.05). In addition, treatment of HCT8-pSV2neo-expressing cells with 50 µmol/L quercetin or 10 nmol/L 17β-E2 significantly increased ERβ mRNA levels compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05), though the absolute levels were much lower than in HCT8-β8-expressing cells. CONCLUSION The antitumorigenic effects of the phytoestrogenic compounds quercetin and genistein on colon cancers cells occur through ERβ activity and expression.

In Vitro Effects of Extracts of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Human Colon Cancer Cells

The Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower incidence of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and some types of cancer. Recent interest has been focused on the biological activity of phenolic compounds present in extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs). Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that EVOO components have positive effects on metabolic parameters, such as plasma lipoproteins, oxidative damage, inflammatory markers, platelet function, and antimicrobial activity. We have investigated the possible interactions between 2 extracts of extra virgin olive oil and estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in an in vitro model of colon cancer. The qualification and quantification of the components of the 2 samples tested showed that phenolic compounds—hydroxytyrosol, secoiridoids, and lignans—are the major represented compounds. EVOO extracts were tested on a colon cancer cell line engineered to overexpress ERβ (HCT8-β8). By using custom made Oligo microarray, gene expression profiles of colon cancer cells challenged with EVOO-T extracts when compared with those of cells exposed to 17β-estradiol (17β-E2). This study demonstrated that the EVOO extracts tested showed an antiproliferative effect on colon cancer cells through the interaction with estrogen-dependent signals involved in tumor cell growth. Specifically, the ability of EVOO extracts to inhibit cell proliferation was superimposable to the activation of the ERβ receptor, similar to what was observed after 17β-E2 challenge.

A simple model for K and Ca enrichment interpretation in Antarctic snow

Abstract The presence of surface active fluorescent organic matter (SAFOM) in Antarctic snow, similar to the marine matter, suggests that micro components present at the sea surface, capable of interacting with SAFOM, may be transported via marine aerosol. Experimental evidence is given by the enrichment of SAFOM in the smallest marine aerosol particles and by the interaction of K and Ca with SAFOM. The surfactant concentration at the sea surface during large whitecaps coverage is also studied. A hypothesis for the K and Ca excess, evidenced in Antarctic snow at high altitudes is proposed by means of a spray drop adsorption layer model (SDALM). This model is the result of an improved analysis of the breaking wave process, and of additional experimental findings. It seems to justify the excess concentration of K and Ca with respect to that expected for marine water compositions in high altitude snow in Antarctica. It may also constitute a more general basis for the interpretation of the fine fraction aeros...

Growing Strong and Healthy with Mister Bone: An Educational Program to Have Strong Bones Later in Life.

Optimal peak bone mass and bone health later in life are favored by a sufficient calcium intake in infancy, childhood and adolescence. The purpose of this study was to test a new educational program created to monitor and to improve calcium and vitamin D intake in children. Nutritional habits in children were evaluated through a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess the intake of calcium, vitamin D, dairy products, and total caloric energy at baseline and after seven months of exposure to a unique educational program applied between November 2013 and May 2014 in 176 schoolchildren (48% male, 52% female) attending the fourth and fifth grades of two selected primary schools in Florence, Italy. A significant increase of calcium (from 870 ± 190 to 1100 ± 200 mg/day, p < 0.05), and vitamin D (from 3.6 ± 1.53 to 4.1 ± 2 µg/day) intake in children was documented after the educational program. The amount of specific foods important for bone health consumed, such as milk and vegetables, increased significantly, both in male and female children (p < 0.05). The proposed educational program appears to be effective in modifying calcium intake in children, with a significant increase in the consumption of dairy products and vegetables, but without a significant change in the total caloric intake.