Caparrotta/Froldi/Montopoli/ Catanzaro/Bertin/Dorigo - Research activity

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Research group

 

Laura Caparrotta, Guglielmina Froldi, Monica Montopoli, Daniela Catanzaro, Riccardo Bertin and Paola Dorigo, Department of Pharmacology and Anaestesiology, Lgo. E. Meneghetti 2, 35131 Padova, Italy

 

Research Outline

Studies of pharmacological activity of natural and synthetic substances derived from natural substances, with potential therapeutic applications, manly evaluating the redox activity in different biological experimental models, to find molecules useful to reduce the oxidative stress inducing cellular damage.

 

a) Pharmacology (prof. L. Caparrotta)

  • Tumour cisplatinum resistant cell lines will be characterized by the metabolomic profile (glutathione, mobile lipids etc), mitochondrial function, structural proteins and transcription factors (i.e. HIF-1alfa) that are activated following hypoxia, which is typical in the hyperproliferating cells. The effect of antioxidant substances will be studied in order to ameliorate the pharmacology and toxicology of platinum drugs.
  • The oxidative stress has been shown in many different pathologies, such as neurodegenerative LHON disease (Leber's hereditary optical neuropathy), caused by mutations of the mitochondrial DNA and deficit of mitochondrial function. In cellular models derived from affected and not affected LHON patients we are analyzing parameters of cellular and mitochondrial function and the potential protective effect of antioxidant natural substances.

 

b) Pharmacognosy (prof. G. Froldi)

  • Isolation, structure elucidation, bioassay and mechanism of action of plant constituents having biological activity. Mainly our studies are focused in vitro on natural compounds with antioxidant activity that can preserve cellular function in human tissues.

 

Methods

Cell suspension and adherent cell cultures (tumour cells i.e. C13, 2008, HT29, SK23, Jurkat; hybrids, muscular and endothelial vascular cells). Spectrophotometry (MTT, ATP, enzyme activity). Flow cytometry (apoptosis, cell cycle, ROS, mitochondrial potential). SDS-PAGE and agarose electrophoresis, western blotting, HPLC, H1NMR.

 

Partnerships

  • - Prof. V. Carelli, Department of Neurological Sciences, Bologna University, Italy.
  • - Prof. S. Mammi and S. Bellanda, Department of Chemical Sciences, Padova University, Italy.
  • - Prof. G. d'Amati and C. Giordano, Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, La Sapienza University, Roma, Italy.
  • - Dott. A. Martinuzzi, IRCCS E. Medea, Conegliano, Treviso, Italy.
  • - Prof. A. Garcia-Argaez, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Padova University, Italy.
  • - Dr. K. Wann, PhD, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, UK.