Fausto Corradeschi

Cognitive and physiological effects of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in healthy subjects

Background  It has been reported that Omega‐3 fatty acids may play a role in nervous system activity and that they improve cognitive development and reference memory‐related learning, increase neuroplasticity of nerve membranes, contribute to synaptogenesis and are involved in synaptic transmission. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Omega‐3 supplementation on some cognitive and physiological parameters in healthy subjects.

Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 8. Effects on the total antioxidant status and on interleukin-8 production.

Ozone (O3) is a controversial gas because, owing to its potent oxidant properties, it exerts damaging effects on the respiratory tract and yet it has been used for four decades as a therapy. While the disinfectant activity of O3 is understandable, it is less clear how other biological effects can be elicited in human blood with practically no toxicity. On the other hand plasma and cells are endowed with a powerful antioxidant system so that a fairly wide range of O3 concentrations between 40 and 80 microg/ml per gram of blood (approximately 0.83-1.66 mM) are effective but not deleterious. After blood ozonation total antioxidant status (TAS) and plasma protein thiol groups (PTG) decrease by 20% and 25%, respectively, while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increases up to five-fold. The increase of haemolysis is negligible suggesting that the erythrocyte membrane is spared at the expense of other sacrificial substrates. While there is a clear relationship between the ozone dose and IL-8 levels, we have noticed that high TAS and PTG values inhibit the cytokine production. This is in line with the current idea that hydrogen peroxide, as a byproduct of O3 decomposition, acts as a messenger for the cytokine induction.

Blood profiles, body fat and mood state in healthy subjects on different diets supplemented with Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Background  Diets and Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been considered as important factors to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, but there are few details on the effects on healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to examine the variation of several physiological parameters in healthy subjects on different diets supplemented with Omega‐3 fatty acids.

Ozone In Medicine

Abstract Ozone therapy has been used as a complementary medical approach for half a century but it has encountered skepticism by orthodox medicine because, particularly in the past, it has been used by practitioners and others without a rational basis and appropriate controls. With the advent of modern medical ozone generators incorporating a photometer, it has become possible to obtain precise ozone concentrations and to evaluate some mechanisms of action and possible toxicity. In contrast with the respiratory tract, human blood exposed to appropriate ozone concentrations is able to tame its strong oxidant properties and neither acute, nor chronic side effects have ensued in millions of patients treated with ozonated autohaemotherapy (O3-AHT). This review summarizes our studies aimed at clarifying biological effects, defining any possible damage, the therapeutic window and suitable doses able to express a therapeutic activity. A very interesting and promising aspect is the induction of the so-called heat stress proteins (HSP) leading to adaptation to a chronic oxidative stress. The use of ozone in human therapy has been reviewed but so far very few controlled clinical studies have been reported. Mostly on the basis of anecdotal results, ozone therapy appears useful in infectious diseases, immune depression, vascular disorders, degenerative diseases and orthopedics.

Effect of mental imagery on the development of skilled motor actions.

To test the effect of imagery in the training of skilled movements, an experiment was designed in which athletes learned a new motor action and trained themselves for a month either by overt action or by mental imagery of the action. The experiment was carried out with 30 male karateka (M age = 35 yr., SD = 8.7; M years of practice = 6, SD = 3) instructed to perform an action (Ura-Shuto-Uchi) that they had not previously learned. The athletes were divided into three groups: Untrained (10 subjects who did not perform any training), Action Trained (10 subjects who performed Ura-Shuto-Uchi training daily for 16 minutes), and Mental Imagery (10 subjects who performed mental imagery training of Ura-Shuto-Uchi daily for 16 minutes). The subjects were tested five times, once every 7 days. During each test, they performed a series of 60 motor action trials. In Tests 1, 3, and 5, they also performed a series of 60 mental imagery trials. During the trials, an electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG), muscle strength and power, and other physiological parameters were recorded. The results differed by group. Untrained subjects did not show significant effects. In the Action Trained group, training had an effect on reactivity and movement speed, with a reduction of EMG activation and reaction times. Moreover, muscle strength, power, and work increased significantly. The Mental Imagery group showed the same effects on muscle strength, power, and work, but changes in reactivity were not observed. In the Mental Imagery group, the study of Movement Related Brain Macropotentials indicated a progressive modification of the profile of the waves from Test 1 to Test 5 during imagery, showing significant variations of the amplitude of the waves related to the premotor and motor execution periods. Results show that motor imagery can influence muscular abilities such as strength and power and can modify Movement Related Brain Macropotentials, the profile of which potentially could be used to verify the effectiveness of motor imagery training.

Attention in Athletes of High and Low Experience Engaged in Different Open Skill Sports

In this study were examined differences in attentional style of athletes engaged in two open skill sports requiring high reactivity (karate and volleyball) in groups with high or low experience. 42 healthy men, 24 volleyball players, 12 of High Experience (first division Italian League players whose M age was 28 yr. (SD = 5) and 12 of Low Experience (prejunior Italian team athletes whose M age was 19 yr. (SD = 2), and 18 karateka, 9 of High Experience (3rd and 4th dan black belt athletes whose M age was 31 yr., SD = 5) and 9 of Low Experience (1st and 2nd dan black belt karateka whose M age was 32 yr., SD = 5). Tests involved different types of attention: Alert, Go/No-Go, Divided Attention, and Working Memory. For each one, the reaction time (RT), variability, change in RT, and number of errors were analysed. Karateka of High Experience reacted faster than those of Low Experience on the simple RT test, Alert (M RT: 204 vs 237 msec., p < .01), while on the Divided Attention test, the High Experience subjects performed more poorly and committed more errors (M errors: 4.89 vs 1.44, p < .003). Young volleyball players of Low Experience reacted faster than colleagues of High Experience on the Alert (M RT: 187 vs 210 msec., p < .01) and Divided Attention tests (M RT: 590 vs 688 msec., p < .001) but committed more errors (Divided Attention test, M errors: 6.50 vs 3.08, p < .007). For the Divided Attention and Working Memory tests, correlations were positive among errors, RT, and RT variability but only for volleyball athletes of High Experience, suggesting they showed higher attention and stability in complex reactions than the group with Low Experience. No significant correlations were noted for either group of karateka on complex reactions. Results suggested that the attentional resources were engaged in different ways in the two groups of athletes and, in each group, there were differences between persons of High and Low Experience.

Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 5. Evaluation of immunological parameters and tolerability in normal volunteers receiving ambulatory autohaemotherapy

Autohaemotherapy, after a bland treatmentex vivo of blood with ozone, is a fairly unknown medical procedure claimed to have therapeutic value in viral diseases and neoplasms. Having already shown that ozone acts as a mild inducer of cytokines, we have undertaken an investigation in normal rabbits and in normal volunteers aiming to evaluate eventual changes of some cytokine levels in plasma as well as of immunological parameters such as the Mx protein, neopterin,β2-microglobulin and of some acute-phase proteins after single or repeated autohaemotherapy. We have also evaluated the potential development of side-effects. This study is the first one to show that autohaemotherapy can activate an immunological marker in normal subjects without procuring any toxic effects.

Colorectal administration of human interferon-α

Abstract The possibility that human interferon-α may be absorbed by the colorectal mucosa has been evaluated in the rat. Suppository bases per se do not allow interferon absorption as it was undetectable in peripheral plasma. Inclusion of physiological amounts of Na-ursodeoxycholate favours some interferon absorption although plasma levels remain at a much lower level after comparative subcutaneous administration. Although the results are encouraging, we have been unable to achieve a marked increase of interferon levels in the portal blood that may render rectal administration a selective route in the treatment of hepatitis.

Oral administration of human recombinant interferon-α2 in rats

The absorption of human recombinant interferon-α2 (IFNα2) from the oropharynx has been investigated in the rat. We have shown that small amounts of interferon can be absorbed and measured in blood. The absorption of IFNα2 dissolved in saline was not improved by the addition of different promoters. The practical usefulness of a small absorption of interferon has been discussed.

Effect of Omega-3 and Policosanol Supplementation on Attention and Reactivity in Athletes

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids and policosanol supplementation on the cognitive processes involved in the control of reactivity in karateka engaged in attention tests. Methods: Eighteen karateka were randomly assigned to 2 groups. One group (10 subjects) took the supplement of omega-3 fatty acids (2.25 g) plus policosanol (10 mg) (O3 + P) for 21 days, and the other group was supplemented with placebo (oleic sunflower oil). Subjects were tested at the beginning of the experiment (Test 1), after 21 days (Test 2), and after 42 days (Test 3). The experimental procedure consisted of an Alert and a Sustained Attention (SA) reaction time test: the subject had to react by pressing a key of a computer keyboard in Alert and a sequence of 3 keys in SA in response to stimuli, activating a complex go/no-go paradigm. For each test, we recorded the reaction time and the event-related potentials by electroencephalogram and electromyography (EMG) of the forefinger flexor muscle. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) test was also administered. Results: After 21 days of supplementation, subjects who received O3 + P showed a reduced reaction time and increased vigor sensation associated with a reduction of the negative states measured with the POMS test. Analysis of the event-related brain potentials showed a reduced latency of the movement-related brain macropotentials. In particular, the potentials recorded in the premotor period and motor period occurred earlier and the latency of EMG activation was reduced. In the third test, 21 days after the last O3 + P supplementation, the positive effects on the mood state persisted, while the reaction time, EMG, and brain potential latencies increased, although their values remained lower than in the first test. The placebo group did not show any significant differences in Tests 2 and 3 compared to Test 1 for either POMS or reactivity and brain potentials. Conclusions: Supplementation with O3 + P may be effective in improving mood state and reactivity. The reaction time reduction appears to be due to a central nervous system effect, as shown by the reduced latency of movement-related brain macropotentials and EMG activation. These results are in line with previous experiments.