Maslinic Acid Enhances Signals for the Recruitment of Macrophages and Their Differentiation to M1 State

The inflammatory process is involved in the genesis and evolution of different diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Macrophages play a central role in inflammation. In addition, they can regulate some stages of cancer development. Macrophages can polarize into M1 or M2 functional phenotype depending on the cytokines present in the tissue microenvironment. On the other hand, triterpenes found in virgin olive oil are described to present different properties, such as antitumoral and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study was designed to elucidate if the four major triterpenes found in virgin olive oil (oleanolic acid, maslinic acid, uvaol, and erythrodiol) are able to enhance M1 macrophage response which represents an important defense mechanism against cancer. Our results indicated that maslinic acid modulated the inflammatory response by enhancing the production of IL-8, IL-1α, and IL-1β; it promoted M1 response through the synthesis of IFN-γ; and finally it did not modify significantly the levels of NFκβ or NO. Overall, our results showed that maslinic acid could prevent chronic inflammation, which represents a crucial step in the development of some cancers

Evaluation of resistance to downy mildew in grape varieties grown in a Spanish collection

The genotypic diversity maintained in grapevine repositories can provide an invaluable source of resistance to diseases. Resistance to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) of most main and minor grapevine varieties grown in Spain was evaluated in the germplasm collection at "El Encín" (IMIDRA, Madrid). Resistance assessment using the leaf disc technique was compared with the results of field evaluations of natural infected plants according to OIV452-1 and OIV452 descriptors, respectively. A good correlation was found among both methods. Results ranged from very low to high levels of resistance to fungal infection, with most varieties showing high levels of susceptibility, as expectable in Vitis vinifera varieties, but some of them (usually those originally collected from humid temperate regions in Spain) were found to be less susceptible

Evaluation of susceptibility to powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) in Vitis vinifera varieties

Susceptibility to grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator Schwein.) was studied in 159 Vitis vinifera foreign and native grape varieties grown in Spain. The relationship between morphological features of vines and their susceptibility to the disease was also studied. The infection was evaluated under natural conditions on leaves and bunches. A total of 35 cultivars were very susceptible to the disease (very low to low resistance on bunches), while another 83 showed low susceptibility (high to very high resistance on bunches). Results provide useful information for grape growers and breeders for the selection of varieties less susceptible to powdery mildew

Semi-selective media for the isolation of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora from soil and vine wood

Two semi-selective culture media, F10S (PDA + folpet 10 ppm + streptomycin sulphate 1 g l-1) and RB150S (PDA + rose bengal 150 ppm + streptomycin sulphate 1 g l-1), were developed for the isolation of the phytopathogenic fungus Phaeomoniella chlamydospora from soil samples and vine tissues. The media were selected so that they would allow proper growth of the pathogen and would partially inhibit eleven other common fungal genera. Eight antifungal agents were tested: Folpan (a.i. folpet), Captazel (a.i. captan), Benlate (a.i. benomyl), Chipco (a.i. iprodione), Switch (a.i. cyprodinil + fl udioxonil), rose bengal, and the bactericidal antibiotic streptomycin sulphate at several doses. Recovery of Pa. chlamydospora from wood samples was 40% better on RB150S and 50% better on F10S than on PDA, while the contaminants were reduced by 42% with RB150S, and by 48% with F10S. Pathogen reisolation from artificially contaminated soil samples was improved with F10S, while RB150S facilitated pathogen detection in samples containing moderate amounts of Rhizopus, Trichoderma, Penicillium, Alternaria or Trichoderma or in soils heavily contaminated with bacteria. F10S and RB150S improved the isolation of Pa. chlamydospora from wood and soil and can be used as alternatives to current culture media

Squalene stimulates a key innate immune cell to foster wound healing and tissue repair

Anti-inflammatory effects of virgin olive oil (VOO) have been described recently, along with its wound healing effect. One of the main minor compounds found in VOO is squalene (SQ), which also possesses preventive effects against skin damage and anti-inflammatory properties. The inflammatory response is involved in wound healing and manages the whole process by macrophages, among others, as the main innate cells with a critical role in the promotion and resolution of inflammation for tissue repair. Because of that, this work is claimed to describe the role that squalene exerts in the immunomodulation of M1 proinflammatory macrophages, which are the first cells implicate in recent injuries. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were analysed using TPH1 cell experimental model. SQ induced an increase in the synthesis of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10, IL-13, and IL-4, and a decrease in proinflammatory signals, such as TNF-α and NF-κB in M1 proinflammatory macrophages. Furthermore, SQ enhanced remodelling and repairing signals (TIMP-2) and recruitment signals of eosinophils and neutrophils, responsible for phagocytosis processes. These results suggest that SQ is able to promote wound healing by driving macrophage response in inflammation. Therefore, squalene could be useful at the resolution stage of wound healing

Naturally lignan-rich foods: a dietary tool for health promotion?

Dietary guidelines universally advise adherence to plant-based diets. Plant-based foods confer considerable health benefits, partly attributable to their abundant micronutrient (e.g., polyphenol) content. Interest in polyphenols is largely focused on the contribution of their antioxidant activity to the prevention of various disorders, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Polyphenols are classified into groups, such as stilbenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans and others. Lignans, which possess a steroid-like chemical structure and are defined as phytoestrogens, are of particular interest to researchers. Traditionally, health benefits attributed to lignans have included a lowered risk of heart disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and breast cancer. However, the intake of naturally lignan-rich foods varies with the type of diet. Consequently, based on the latest humans’ findings and gathered information on lignan-rich foods collected from Phenol Explorer database this review focuses on the potential health benefits attributable to the consumption of different diets containing naturally lignan-rich foods. Current evidence highlight the bioactive properties of lignans as human health-promoting molecules. Thus, dietary intake of lignan-rich foods could be a useful way to bolster the prevention of chronic illness, such as certain types of cancers and cardiovascular disease

Biomarkers characterization of circulating tumour cells in breast cancer patients

Introduction: Increasing evidence supports the view that the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) predicts outcomes of nonmetastatic breast cancer patients. CTCs differ genetically from the primary tumor and may contribute to variations in prognosis and response to therapy. As we start to understand more about the biology of CTCs, we can begin to address how best to treat this form of disease. Methods: Ninety-eight nonmetastatic breast cancer patients were included in this study. CTCs were isolated by immunomagnetic techniques using magnetic beads labelled with a multi-CK-specific antibody (CK3-11D5) and CTC detection through immunocytochemical methods. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were evaluated by immunofluorescence experiments and HER2 and TOP2A by fluorescence in situ hybridization. We aimed to characterize this set of biomarkers in CTCs and correlate it with clinical-pathological characteristics. Results: Baseline detection rate was 46.9% ≥ 1 CTC/30 ml threshold. CTC-positive cells were more frequent in HER2-negative tumors (p = 0.046). In patients younger than 50 years old, HER2-amplified and G1-G2 tumors had a higher possibility of being nondetectable CTCs. Heterogeneous expression of hormonal receptors (HRs) in samples from the same patients was found. Discordances between HR expression, HER2 and TOP2A status in CTCs and their primary tumor were found in the sequential blood samples. Less that 35% of patients switched their CTC status after receiving chemotherapy. EGFR-positive CTCs were associated with Luminal tumors (p = 0.03). Conclusions: This is the largest exploratory CTC biomarker analysis in nonmetastatic BC patients. Our study suggests that CTC biomarkers profiles might be useful as a surrogate marker for therapeutic selection and monitoring since heterogeneity of the biomarker distribution in CTCs and the lack of correlation with the primary tumor biomarker status were found. Further exploration of the association between EGFR-positive CTCs and Luminal tumors is warranted

Disnea progresiva en varón de 47 años

We report the case of a 47 year old male whose cardinal symptom was progressive dyspnea. We describe the diag- nostic process highlighting the usefulness of pulmonary and cardiac ultrasound. We stress the importance in this patient to take into account their personal history (Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated more than 10 years earlier) and the finding of a left bundle branch block in the electrocardiogram.Presentamos el caso de un varón de 47 años cuyo síntoma cardinal era la disnea progresiva. Describimos su proceso diagnóstico destacando la utilidad de la ecografía pulmonar y cardíaca. Resaltamos la importancia en este enfermo de tener en cuenta sus antecedentes (linfoma de Hodgkin tratado hacía más de 10 años) y el hallazgo de un bloqueo de rama izquierda en el electrocardiograma