We tested cadmium (Cd2+) effects on porcine IPEC-J2 cells, which represent an in vitro model of the interaction between intestinal cells and both infectious and non-infectious stressors. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of low (2 mu M) to moderate (20 mu M) concentrations of Cd2+, in terms of pro-inflammatory gene expression and protein release, as well as of infectivity in a Salmonella typhimurium penetration model. Our data showed a significant (P<.001) increase of intracellular Cd2+ after 3, 6 and 24 h of exposure with respect to levels at 1 h. These data showed the ability of IPEC-J2 to absorb Cd2+ as a function of both time and concentration. Also, the absorption of this heavy metal was related to a significant modulation of important pro-inflammatory messengers. In particular, down-regulation of IL-8 was associated with a significant decrease of Salmonella typhimurium ability to penetrate into IPEC-J2 cells, in agreement with a previous study in which an anti-IL8 antibody could significantly inhibit Salmonella penetration into the same cells Glary uoli et al., 2017). This finding demonstrates the ability of Cd2+ to affect the outcome of an important host-pathogen relationship. In conclusion, our study highlighted the ability of an environmental pollutant like Cd2+ to modulate innate immune responses in terms of chemokine release and gene expression, and susceptibility to microbial infections.

Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) contribute to the dietary intake of total PCBs. They are consumed via ingestion of contaminated fish and fishery products. Thus, it is important to quantify their levels in aquatic organisms in order to evaluate the risks associated with fish consumption by humans. In 2013, an advisory against consumption of fish from the River Roya (IT) was disseminated after NDL PCBs were found to exceed maximum levels set by EU Regulations. We investigated the presence of NDL PCBs in eel, trout and barbel from the River Roya. We found concentrations in the range of 9.2-27.6 ng g(-)(1)ww in barbel, 9.2-97.0 ng g(-1)ww in trout and 9.0-239.5 ng g(-1)ww in eel. The distribution of congeners among different species did not show significant variations and was characterized by a higher proportion of 153, 138 and 180 congeners, according to their high resistance to metabolic degradation.

The non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) highly contribute to the PCB dietary intake of total PCBs. Most of the NDL-PCBs are assumed through ingestion of contaminated fish and fishery products. Therefore, it is important to quantify their presence in aquatic organisms to evaluate human risks associated with fish consumption. The European catfish is a top food-chain predator and is considered a reliable bio-monitoring tool reflecting the state of the environmental organic pollution. From 2006 to 2009, 54 European catfish were captured in four sites covering the area of the Po River (North Italy), and their muscles were analysed to determine the levels of 18 PCBs congeners. All samples presented detectable levels of 18 congeners and, on average, results showed an important presence of NDL-PCBs. The sum of the six congeners (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180 IUPAC) was used as indicator of the total PCBs concentration. The 33% of the samples analysed exceeded the maximum levels of 125 ng g(-1) set by European regulations in fish. The values measured ranged from 19.7 to 1015.4 ng g(-1) (mean 135.6 ± 149.8 ng g(-1)). The concentrations of NDL-PCBs were not related to fish weight or sex, while a significant variability was found among sites (p<0.05), according to the geographical location of many industrial activities in the catchment area of the Po River. PCB 153 and 138 were present in higher concentrations (40% and 30% respectively). We hypothesise that this is due to their high resistance to metabolic degradation.

In the period between 2005 and 2008 was carried out a survey on 252 samples of raw bovine milk collected in Turin departement to certain levels of contamination by heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn), PCB and organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides. These results argue that the levels of heavy metals, PCB and pesticides are well below what is expected by the European legislation and that the situation is under control and that raw milk meets the hygiene requirements for human health.

Aim of this investigation was to evaluate IPA contamination in samples of Silurus glanis caught in Po river. N. 54 muscle samples were collected and analyzed. Five samples exceeded the maximum limit set by CE Regulation 1881/2006 for Benzo(a)pirene. Therefore, 10% of Silurus fished turned out to be not adequate and potentially harmful for consumers. In order to estimate the real risk for human health it is necessary to enforce this study, correlating the results with the effective fish consumption.

During the period between october 2007 and november 2008 were collected 60 samples of powdered infant formula. The analysis for the detection of heavy metals, organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides show that the environmental situation is under control and powdered infant formula satisfies this health requisite.

In the summer of 2005, about 200 people who spent time on or near beaches in a stretch of the northwest Italian coast around the city of Genova, sought medical treatment for

In this study it has been evaluated the correlation between the biological test on mice and the assay on cultured cells for the determination of okadaic add, on artificially contaminated mussels. Particularly the study has been made in vitro on two lines of cells KB (Human oral epidermoid carcinoma) and H9c2 (Rat heart myoblast) verifying the sensibility of two models and the limit of revealability in various protocol of analysis. The obtained results show a higher sensibility of the KB line compared to the H9c2 line in the studied conditions. Only for the KB line it has been observed a limit of the same revealability of the biological test (0.5 μg/g). The correlation between biological test and method on the KB line resulted significative: correlation index (Ρ 2 = 0.606) and Pearson's coefficient equal to -0.78.

An investigation was carried out on mercury, cadmium and lead contents in edible shellfish of La Spezia gulf in 1989 and in 1995. The obtained results show a decrease of lead levels, while mercury levels show stability. Besides this, in 1995 the distribution of cadmium levels in the gulf appeared to be not homogeneous.

An investigation was carried out on mercury, cadmium and lead contents in edible shellfish of La Spezia gulf in 1989 and in 1995. The obtained results show a decrease of lead levels, while mercury levels show stability. Besides this, in 1995 the distribution of cadmium levels in the gulf appeared to be not homogeneous.