Research topics

1. Role of adipokines and other biological signals in the pathophysiology of cardio-metabolic diseases
A series of studies conducted both in vitro and in humans aims to evaluate the regulatory and pathogenetic role of leptin and other related molecules, such as adiponectin and ghrelin, and of other new signals (PCSK9, myokines and hepatokines) in the field of obesity and other related pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis, hepatic steatosis and the metabolic syndrome.

2. Modulation of cardio-metabolic biomarkers: role of nutrition and nutraceuticals
A series of studies is aimed at the evaluation of clinical and experimental biomarkers (adipokines, proinflammatory cytokines, biomarkers of atherosclerosis -PCSK9, plant sterols-) of cardiovascular and metabolic risk, related to insulin resistance, both in epidemiological studies and in the context of intervention studies on small cohorts, to evaluate the effect of nutritional products and nutraceuticals. These studies aim to better characterize the specific pathophysiological role of some experimental biomarkers in the progression of cardiometabolic diseases.

Techniques

In the laboratory, techniques of cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and morphological analysis, in the context of in vitro studies, have been implemented.
The evaluation of plasma hormonal and inflammatory parameters is performed by immunometric (ELISA) and biochemical assays.
The laboratory has expertise in the management of clinical and epidemiological studies in the nutritional, nutraceutical, pharmacological and cardiometabolic fields.

Collaborations

Prof. AL Catapano/Prof. GD Norata (UNIMI, Milano)

Prof. M. Dell’Agli (UNIMI, Milano)

Prof. L. Calabresi (UNIMI, Milano)

Prof. M. Daglia (UNIPV, Pavia)

Dr. B. Bonanni (IEO, Milano)

Dr. R. Volpe (CNR, Roma)

Selected publications

1. Macchi C, Steffani L, Oleari R, Lettieri A, Valenti L, Dongiovanni P, Romero-Ruiz A, Tena-Sempere M, Cariboni A, Magni P, Ruscica M. Iron overload induces hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in male mice via extrahypothalamic mechanisms. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2017 Oct 15;454:135-145. (P. Magni: corresponding author)

2. Pavanello C, Lammi C, Ruscica M, Bosisio R, Mombelli G, Zanoni C, Calabresi L, Sirtori CR, Magni P, Arnoldi A. Effects of a lupin protein concentrate on lipids, blood pressure and insulin resistance in moderately dyslipidaemic patients: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Functional Foods 37:8-15, October 2017. (P. Magni: corresponding author)

3. Ruscica M, Botta M, Ferri N, Giorgio E, Macchi C, Franceschini G, Magni P, Calabresi L, Gomaraschi M. High Density Lipoproteins Inhibit Oxidative Stress-Induced Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 2;8(1):2236. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19568-8. (P. Magni: corresponding author)

4. Ruscica M, Pavanello C, Gandini S, Gomaraschi M, Vitali C, Macchi C, Morlotti B, Aiello G, Bosisio R, Calabresi L, Arnoldi A, Sirtori CR, Magni P. Effect of soy on metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Mar;57(2):499-511.

5. Ruscica M, Pavanello C, Gandini S, Macchi C, Botta M, Dall'Orto D, Del Puppo M, Bertolotti M, Bosisio R, Mombelli G, Sirtori CR, Calabresi L, Magni P.  Nutraceutical approach to moderate cardiovascular risk with a combination containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and red yeast rice extract - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutr J. 2019 Feb 22;18(1):13.