Effect of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds on in vitro oxidation of human low density lipoproteins.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Substantial evidence suggests that oxidative modifications of low density lipoproteins (LDL) critically contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of human atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) are present in atherosclerotic plaques and contain oxysterols that exhibit a variety of adverse biological activities. Antioxidants have also been shown to prevent LDL modification. We have therefore assessed the efficacy of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds in preventing oxidative modifications of human LDL oxidized by UV light. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cholesterol oxides formed during LDL photo-oxidation were determined by UV-HPLC in the presence of different concentrations of phenolic compounds and their pure components (tyrosol and oleuropein), and probucol, a widely used synthetic antioxidant. Electrophoretic mobility was also assayed. The results demonstrate that phenolic compounds are much more potent in preventing cholesterol oxide formation and apoproteic moiety modification than their pure components and probucol. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effects of a Mediterranean diet may be ascribable not only to the high unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio characteristic of olive oil, but also to the unique antioxidant properties of its phenolic compounds.

Comparison between extra virgin olive oil and oleic acid rich sunflower oil: effects on postprandial lipemia and LDL susceptibility to oxidation.

The aim of our study was to determine whether the minor polar components of virgin olive oil could have favorable effects (1) on fasting and postprandial lipid profile and (2) on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) composition and susceptibility to oxidation in vitro. Ten normolipidic subjects were included in a crossover study (two diet periods of 3 weeks) and received either virgin olive oil (OO diet) or oleic acid rich sunflower oil. An oral fat load was performed at the end of each period. The plasma lipid levels were not significantly different after both diets in the fasting and postprandial states. A few minor variations of the LDL composition were observed only in the postprandial lipemia, and they were different after both diets. The LDL oxidation susceptibility was evaluated by the formation of conjugated dienes. With LDL isolated in the fasting state, the diene production decreased (p = 0.0573) only after the OO diet. The dienes determined at time 0 and the maximal dienes obtained during the oxidation reaction decreased (p = 0.0145 and p = 0.0184, respectively) only after the OO fat load. Nevertheless, the diene production decrease was not significant (p = 0.0848). Our results suggest a mild effect of minor components of virgin olive oil related to a decrease of LDL susceptibility to oxidation; further analyses are necessary to give clear conclusions about their role.

[Toxic megacolon. Apropos 3 cases]. / Il megacolon tossico. A proposito di tre osservazioni.

The authors describe their experience with three cases of toxic megacolon: two cases were complications of an ulcerative colitis and died after surgery; one case was a complication of Crohn's disease and recovered after medical resuscitation treatment. Diagnosis was based on clinical features and direct abdominal X-ray showing an evident dilatation of the colon. The authors think that intense medical treatment has to be carried out in all cases without urgent surgical indication: even if not always successful, a medical therapy will be an appropriate preparation for operation. The authors believe that the operation of choice is colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis plus upstream protective ileostomy or right terminal ileostomy plus left iliac sigmoidostomy with subsequent reconstruction of continuity.

[Imaging diagnosis, echography and CAT in mechanical jaundice]. / La diagnostica per immagini, ecografia e TAC, nell'ittero meccanico.

In a review of 70 cases of extra-hepatic cholestasis of different origin, the great diagnostic value of imaging techniques, echography and computed tomography, was demonstrated in distinguishing the type of jaundice, and in defining the cause and site of obstruction.

[The clinical picture of pseudomyxoma peritonei]. / Il quadro clinico dello pseudomixoma peritoneale.

The authors describe two cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei, one of which with a lengthy clinical course and the other with a rapidly fatal outcome. The clinical picture in pseudomyxoma peritonei is associated with a variety of benign or malignant mucus-secreting tumours, mainly originating in the appendix or ovaries. Survival is generally long owing to the lack of visceral invasion or metastases. An accurate prognostic assessment can only be achieved on the basis of identification of the primary tumours and its degree of malignancy.

[Fractures of the pelvis and associated abdominal lesions]. / Fratture del bacino e lesioni addominali associate.

106 cases of pelvic fracture and blunt abdominal trauma are reported and relationships between type of fracture, associated lesions and prognosis assessed. The presence of associated lesions, with the exception of urologic types, would appear to be correlated to the extent and prevalent application site of the trauma rather than to fracture morphology. The prognosis for patients with pelvic fractures is related to the frequency of associated lesions of intra-abdominal viscera and urological or retroperitoneal vascular structures.

[Traumatic lesions of the diaphragm (experiences with 36 cases)]. / Le lesioni traumatiche del diaframma. (Esperienza su 36 casi).

The Authors report on their experience with 36 cases of traumatic lesions of the diaphragm. Such lesions should be suspected in all cases of thoraco-abdominal trauma. The possibility of a preoperative diagnosis depends entirely on thorough chest x-rays and administration of contrast medium via a nasogastric tube. In emergency surgery, lesions of the diaphragm are treated by the laparotomy route, which allows complete exploration of the abdominal cavity. The morbidity and mortality of such lesions depend on the associated lesions, on prompt diagnosis and surgery and on appropriate postoperative treatment.

Emergency laparoscopy in multiple trauma patients: experience with 106 cases.

Emergency laparoscopy was successfully used in 106 multiple-trauma and often unconscious patients with blunt abdominal traumas. In 40 cases a negative result avoided any subsequent exploratory laparotomy; two false negative were registered, while a diagnosis of retroperitoneal hematoma was possible in 6 cases.

[Acute appendicitis and its postoperative complications. Apropos of a series of 8738 cases]. / L'appendicite aiguë et ses complications post-opératoires. A propos d'une série de 8738 cas.

8,738 cases of acute appendicitis, all operated on emergency, have been examined considering their total mortality (3 cases), and their post-operative complications (2.04%), secondary especially to the septic character of this disease. Diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis still require a particular attention and care.

[Villous adenoma of the duodenum]. / Gli adenomi villosi del duodeno.

The authors study the diagnostical problems, especially those involved in the preoperative diagnosis of malignancy, of four cases of duodenal villous adenoma. A more frequent use of endoscopy can allow the observation of this lesion in early stage, such as to ensure recovery through an intervention as scarcely demolishing as possible. However, surgeons plotting the strategy of operation should bear in mind the potential malignancy of duodenal villous adenoma.

[Mechanical jaundice caused by stones in the cystic duct. Apropos of 10 cases]. / Ictère mécanique par empierrement du canal cystique. A propos de dix cas.

Multiple stones in the cystic duct often cause obstructive jaundice by external compression of the common bile duct (a stone blocked in the cysticochpledocal junction, or adhesions between the two biliary ducts). Intraoperative cholangiography and careful dissection usually lead to sure diagnosis and easy recovery.

[Surgical treatment of peritonitis caused by diverticulitis of the sigmoid. Apropos of 12 cases]. / Sul trattamento chirurgico delle peritoniti da diverticolite del sigma. A proposito di 12 osservazioni.

Twelve cases of peritonitis due to sigmoid diverticulitis managed by minimal surgery are reported. Morbidity involved two cases of stenosing sigmoiditis on which sigmoid resection was successfully carried out. Although it is considered that radical surgery is the optimal solution, it is also recalled that the prime objective is to cure the peritonitis, so each case must be assessed carefully on its own merits since the condition is a complication of a benign disease and the risk of emergency sigmoid resections is by no means negligible.

[Iatrogenic ruptures of the stomach]. / Le rotture iatrogene dello stomaco.

A case iatrogenic rupture of the stomach due to gastric wash carried out to treat a child of 5 yrs who had swallowed antineuralgic tablets is reported. This is the first reported case. It is concluded that all instrumental techniques should be carried out with maximum caution and delicacy.