@article {1927, title = {Endothelial cells obtained from patients affected by chronic venous disease exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, year = {2012}, month = {2012}, pages = {e39543}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory properties of vein endothelium in relation to chronic venous disease (CVD) have been poorly investigated. Therefore, new insights on the characteristics of large vein endothelium would increase our knowledge of large vessel physiopathology.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Surgical specimens of veins were obtained from the tertiary venous network (R3) and/or saphenous vein (SF) of patients affected by CVD and from control individuals. Highly purified venous endothelial cell (VEC) cultures obtained from CVD patients were characterized for morphological, phenotypic and functional properties compared to control VEC. An increase of CD31/PECAM-1, CD146 and ICAM-1 surface levels was documented at flow cytometry in pathological VEC with respect to normal controls. Of note, the strongest expression of these pro-inflammatory markers was observed in VEC obtained from patients with more advanced disease. Similarly, spontaneous cell proliferation and resistance to starvation was higher in pathological than in normal VEC, while the migratory response of VEC showed an opposite trend, being significantly lower in VEC obtained from pathological specimens. In addition, in keeping with a higher baseline transcriptional activity of NF-kB, the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines osteoprotegerin (OPG) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was higher in pathological VEC cultures with respect to control VEC. Interestingly, there was a systemic correlation to these in vitro data, as demonstrated by higher serum OPG and VEGF levels in CVD patients with respect to normal healthy controls.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Taken together, these data indicate that large vein endothelial cells obtained from CVD patients exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype, which might significantly contribute to systemic inflammation in CVD patients.

}, keywords = {Adult, Antigens, CD146, Antigens, CD31, Body Mass Index, Cell Culture Techniques, Endothelial Cells, Female, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Inflammation, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, Kinetics, Male, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Middle Aged, Phenotype, Saphenous Vein, Vascular Diseases}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0039543}, author = {Tisato, Veronica and Zauli, Giorgio and Voltan, Rebecca and Gianesini, Sergio and di Iasio, Maria Grazia and Volpi, Ilaria and Fiorentini, Guido and Zamboni, Paolo and Secchiero, Paola} } @article {1915, title = {The energy balance positively regulates the levels of circulating TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand in humans.}, journal = {Clin Nutr}, volume = {31}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Dec}, pages = {1018-21}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND \& AIMS: Although decreased levels of circulating TRAIL have been associated to cardiovascular risk and overall mortality, the mechanisms controlling TRAIL levels in physiopathological conditions are currently unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether changes in the energy intake and insulin sensitivity may influence circulating TRAIL, and to analyze potential relationships between circulating TRAIL and changes in fat mass in healthy subjects receiving hypocaloric or hypercaloric diets.

METHODS: Three distinct groups of participants were studied, at the end of a 14-day (n~=~9), 35-day (n~=~30) or 60-day (n~=~16) period of experimental bed rest to induce insulin resistance and during controlled ambulation, after receiving eucaloric, hypocaloric or hypercaloric diets.

RESULTS: After bed rest conditions, energy restriction significantly decreased circulating TRAIL, while overfeeding significantly increased TRAIL levels with respect to eucaloric control subjects. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between levels of circulating TRAIL and energy intake as well as between circulating TRAIL and energy balance, as determined by changes in fat mass in these subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of TRAIL exhibit a clear-cut positive correlation with the energy intake and balance in healthy subjects during experimental physical inactivity.

}, keywords = {Adult, Apoptosis, Bed Rest, Cross-Over Studies, Diet, Energy Intake, Energy Metabolism, Female, Humans, Insulin Resistance, Male, Motor Activity, Risk Factors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand, Young Adult}, issn = {1532-1983}, doi = {10.1016/j.clnu.2012.04.016}, author = {Biolo, Gianni and Secchiero, Paola and De Giorgi, Sara and Tisato, Veronica and Zauli, Giorgio} }