Ricerc@Sapienza

Free radical-mediated processes, such as peroxidation, isomerization and hydrogenation affecting fatty acid integrity and biological functions have a trans-disciplinary relevance. Cardiolipins [CL, (1,3-diphosphatidyl-sn-glycerol)] and tetra-linoleoyl-CL are complex phospholipids, exclusively present in the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane (IMM) lipids where they maintain membrane integrity and regulate enzyme functionalities. Peroxidation pathways and fatty acid remodeling are known causes of mitochondrial disfunctions and pathologies, including cancer.

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a protein that is part of a larger family of non-histone nuclear proteins. HMGB1 is a ubiquitary protein with different isoforms, linked to numerous physiological and pathological pathways. HMGB1 is involved in cytokine and chemokine release, leukocyte activation and migration, tumorigenesis, neoangiogenesis, and the activation of several inflammatory pathways.

All possible monohydroxycoumarin derivatives are modeled using density functional theory computations in order to investigate the role of the hydroxyl group position for the radical-scavenging and antioxidant activity of these compounds. Geometry optimization is performed using the B3LYP functional with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The enthalpy changes are assessed in gas phase and in implicit water using the polarized continuum model. Structure-reactivity patterns are delineated.

Growing evidence supports the pivotal role played by oxidative stress in tissue injury development, thus resulting in several pathologies including cardiovascular, renal, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders, all characterized by an altered oxidative status. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation-derived reactive aldehydes including acrolein, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, among others, are the main responsible for cellular and tissue damages occurring in redox-dependent processes.

Microcapsules and nanocapsules based on the contemporary presence of sulfonate lignin and tannic acid have been prepared by the layer-by-layer procedure, using MnCO3 or organosolv lignin as core templates, and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride or chitosan as positive charged supporting layers.