Showing papers by "Francesco Cipollone published in 2015"

MicroRNA profiling in migraine without aura: pilot study.

Abstract: Background and purpose. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs whose deregulation has been shown in several human diseases, including pain states and diseases associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. This study aimed at identifying differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in patients with ‘migraine without aura’ (MO), a pain condition whose link with CV risk remains debated.Methods. Fifteen female MO patients and 13 matching healthy controls underwent a circulating microRNA expression profiling. MiR-22, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-27b, miR-29b, let-7b, miR-181a, miR-221, miR-30b, and miR-30e were selected for validation by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results. In migraineurs versus controls, four miRNAs were differentially expressed: miR-27b was significantly up-regulated (q < 0.004), while miR-181a, let-7b, and miR-22 were significantly down-regulated (q ≤ 0.01). MiR-22 and let-7b down-regulation was also confirmed in circulating blood monocytes. A logistic regression m...

Identification of microRNAs 758 and 33b as potential modulators of ABCA1 expression in human atherosclerotic plaques

Abstract: Background and aim Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters A1 and G1 are the main transporters involved in macrophage cholesterol efflux. The understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of their regulation in atherosclerosis is crucial for potential therapeutic approaches. Preclinical studies support a role for microRNAs in the posttranscriptional regulation of these transporters; however, no evidence is still available on human atherosclerosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the modulation of the ABCA1 and ABCG1 pathway in human atherosclerotic plaques and microRNA involvement in its modulation. Methods and results Thirty-one human atherosclerotic plaques were obtained from patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for high-grade (>70%) vessel stenosis, and divided into normocholesterolemic (n = 15) and hypercholesterolemic groups (n = 16) according to the presence/absence of hypercholesterolemia. Both ABCA1 and ABCG1 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were significantly upregulated in carotid plaques from hypercholesterolemic patients as assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Despite this result, no difference was found at the protein levels analyzed by Western blot, thus suggesting a strong posttranscriptional modulation. MicroRNA microarray and subsequent validation by RT-PCR showed a significant upregulation of ABCA1-linked miR-758 and miR-33b in plaques from hypercholesterolemic patients. Conclusion We provide evidence of a strong posttranscriptional regulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression in human atherosclerotic plaques from hypercholesterolemic patients. This effect is potentially due to the concomitant increase of miR-33b and miR-758, two well-established regulators of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression. The identification of miR-33b and miR-758 as putative key regulators of ABCA1 protein expression within human atherosclerotic plaques provides further data for the realization of new anti-atherosclerotic drugs with specific targets based on anti-miRNA technologies.

Correlation between Migraine Severity and Cholesterol Levels

Abstract: Introduction Several studies have documented increased cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypercholesterolemia, in the migraine population with respect to controls. However, no studies have investigated the possible relationship between headache severity parameters and lipid serum levels. Methods This study evaluated the lipid asset in 52 migraine patients (17 with and 36 without aura) before and after treatment with drugs for migraine prophylaxis for 3 months. Results High frequency (HF, ≥ 8/month) and intensity (HI, ≥ 5 Numeric Rating Score) vs. low frequency (LF, < 8/month) and intensity (LI, < 5) of crises were associated with significantly higher cholesterol levels, both total (TC, HF vs. LF, P < 0.0001; HI vs. LI, P < 0.0001) and LDL (LDL-c, HF vs. LF, P < 0.0001, and HI vs. LI, P < 0.0001). In treated patients, a significant decrease in number and intensity of crises was associated with a significant reduction of TC and LDL-c (P < 0.001). A direct linear correlation was also found between frequency and intensity of crises and lipid levels (TC/frequency, P < 0.0001; TC/intensity, P < 0.0001; LDL-c/frequency, P < 0.0001; LDL-c/intensity, P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found in the evaluated parameters for the subgroups of patients with and without aura. Discussion This study shows a significant positive association between migraine frequency and intensity with total and LDL cholesterol, demonstrating for the first time a significant reduction of these lipid parameters after migraine prophylaxis. However, in view of the retrospective design of the study and the small population size, these results should be considered as preliminary, to be confirmed by future prospective controlled trials.

P003. NSAIDs for symptomatic treatment of headache

Abstract: Methods A retrospective evaluation was carried out on 6,443 records of episodic migraine (n=2,330), tension-type headache (TTH) (n=807) and migraine + TTH (n=3,306) sufferers relative to NSAID use for the acute attack: type of NSAID/s; unior poly-therapy (one or more NSAID/s in different attacks) and NSAID efficacy (subjective scale: complete (C), partial (P) or absent (A) pain relief at 2 hours), at the first visit and 1-year follow-up.