Pharmacobiochemistry and Toxicology Laboratory

Farmacobiochimica e Tossicologia

Referents: Dr. Maurizia Dossena, Manuela Verri

Co-workers: Anna Bellini, Daniela Buonocore, Enrico Doria

1) EVALUATION OF METABOLIC ALTERATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIAS. ROLE OF INSULIN-RESISTANCE

Strong evidence has now emerged supporting the role of defective energy metabolism in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Currently, insulin deficiency and insulin resistance are considered as mediators of AD-type neurodegeneration. The study aims to evaluate potential alterations of skeletal muscle and cerebral energy metabolism in patients with dementia, considering blood and cerebrospinal fluid as biological matrices. In particular, alterations in the aminoacidic profile, together with insulin-resistance condition are considered. These alterations might be targeted by therapeutic and/or metabolic interventions able to interfere with cognitive and functional decline.

In collaboration with:

  • Prof. Alfredo Costa, Fondazione Mondino-Istituto Neurologico Nazionale a Carattere Scientifico IRCCS, Pavia, Italy;
  • Dr. Mirella Boselli, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS Montescano, Italy;
  • Prof. Bruno Solerte, Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Terapia Medica, Pavia, Italy.

 

2) EVALUATION OF METABOLIC ALTERATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROENTERIC CANCER AND BLOOD LYMPHOPENIA

Alterations of the immune system that consist of induced inflammation and reduction in blood lymphocytes are a major factor contributing to gastroenteric cancer progression. A possible impact of metabolic status on chemotolerance and patient survival seems to be lymphocyte-mediated. The study aims to evaluate potential metabolic alterations which may be associated with blood lymphopenia in patients with gastroenteric cancer. In particular, the study may serve as the basis for research to explore whether metabolic interventions can improve lymphopenia.

In collaboration with:

  • Dr.ssa Silvia Brugnatelli, SC Oncologia Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico “San Matteo” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico di diritto pubblico, Pavia, Italy.

 

3) OXIDATIVE STATUS OF YOUNG FEMALE PATIENTS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA. RELATION WITH THE SEVERITY OF THE DISEAS

Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental disorder and its prevalence among adolescents is increasing worldwide over the last few decades. Metabolic dysregulation and homeostasis disruption play an important role in this disorder. The aim of our study is to compare the markers of oxidative status in different body fluids, including plasma and urine, in young female patients with anorexia nervosa and healthy controls. Restoration of redox homeostasis could be of clinical relevance.

In collaboration with:

  • Prof. Renato Borgatti, Fondazione Mondino-Istituto Neurologico Nazionale a Carattere Scientifico IRCCS, Pavia, Italy;
  • Prof. Maria Grazia Bottone, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Pavia.

 

4) PHARMACOGNOSY-TOXICOLOGY-NUTRACEUTICAL The study of herbal medicines that can be used as drugs, in addition to that of functional bioactive compounds with nutraceutical properties that can be used as food, is carried out through in vitro experiments both with specific cell line models and with co-culture cells from biopsies of patients, in order to investigate their toxicity, relative potency and neuroprotective and immuno-modulating efficacy. Furthermore, we developed absorption and permeation assays for testing active pharmaceutical ingredients and compounds from plant extracts, biochemically characterized, using reconstructed tissues within a fluid-dynamic bioreactor device.

In collaboration with:

  • Prof. Mohammed Neffati, Institut des Regions Arides (IRA), Mèdenine (Tunisia);
  • Truffini & Reggè Farmaceutici S.r.l., Milan; Indena S.p.A., Milan.

 

5) BIORESTART PROJECT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY

The project is based on an innovative extraction process of functional substances (secondary metabolites) from waste produced during processing of the agro-industrial food chain through a sustainable recovery process, according to the founding principles of a circular economy model of re-use, recycling and recovery. The extraction procedure that has been developed to obtain a good yield of the biomolecules of interest represents a valid alternative to current techniques, based on the use of organic solvents or physical-mechanical costly and energy demanding technological advanced equipment, which have high environmental impact. The proposed solution is an isothermal cyclically pressurized water extraction process (rapid solid–liquid dynamic extraction). The project is in collaboration with AOP UNOLOMBARDIA sacarl and it is supported by Cariplo Foundation (Grant Cariplo 2018 Circular Economy) and Regione Lombardia (Misura 16 and 124 - Cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies).

The studies are conducted in collaboration with:

  • Dr. Cinzia Calvio, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia;
  • Prof. Luca Forti, Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia;
  • Prof. Paola Casati, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, University of Milan;
  • Prof. Francesco Cardarelli, Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa.