Author: Prof. Dott. Celestino Sardu

Microplastics in human lung tissue from autopsy samples collected in 1991 and 2024: a comparative post-mortem study Abstract Background: Environmental accumulation and human exposure to microplastics MPs are increasing. It is not known whether there is a higher bioaccumulation of microplastics (MPs) in human lungs collected recently and compared with those…

Cardiovascular Health in the Shadow of Diabetes and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: An Emerging Paradigm Abstract Background. The coexistence of type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and cardiovascular disease describes a clinical profile encountered very frequently in daily practice. Besides being highly prevalent, this combination is…

Impact of Gliflozins on Right Heart Remodeling in Italian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure: Results from the GLISCAR Real-World Study Abstract Aims. The influence of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), added to optimal medical therapy, on right ventricular systolic function in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction…

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Are Associated with Reduced Ascending Aorta Dilatation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study Abstract Background. Subclinical dilatation of the ascending aorta is a frequent and often overlooked finding in patients with type 2 diabetes, and no medical therapy has so far been shown to…

Intra-plaque vascularization assessed in contrast-enhanced ultrasound predicts cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes with no significant carotid atherosclerotic stenosis: a prospective study with therapeutic implications for SGLT2 inhibitor use Abstract Aims. People with type 2 diabetes and no significant carotid stenosis are usually classified at moderate cardiovascular risk, yet some…

Impact of empagliflozin as add-on to metformin vs metformin continuation on MASLD progression in type 2 diabetes: The IMAGIN Study Abstract Background and aim. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most frequent cause of chronic liver disease. The IMAGIN study compared the effect of adding empagliflozin to metformin…

Detection and Proinflammatory Effects of BTEX within the Human Atherosclerotic Plaque Abstract Background. Circulating levels of benzene, toluene, xylene (the sum of the ortho-, meta- and para- isomers) and ethylbenzene, collectively known as BTEX, have been linked to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms involved were unknown.…

Cardioprotective mechanism of ω-3 fatty acid icosapent ethyl (IPE) in cardiomyocytes: role in high glucose and shear stress-induced mechano-transduction dysregulation Abstract Background. Omega-3 fatty acids are long-chain fatty acids credited with cardioprotective properties through lipid lowering, anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilising actions. This work explored the molecular basis of the cardioprotection offered…

In vitro evidence and integrative bioinformatics identify the SGLT2-PPARγ axis as a target against polyethylene microplastic-driven metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer cells Abstract Background. Microplastics represent a growing burden for human health and chronic exposure has been linked to inflammation, metabolic derangement and carcinogenesis. These particles can be taken up…

Environmental Pollutant-Induced Cardiopathogenesis Through Immune Dysfunction: The Emerging Role of Micro- and Nanoplastics Abstract Background. Exposure to environmental pollutants is now regarded as a relevant driver of cardiovascular disease. Beyond their direct toxicity, these agents disturb immune homeostasis and in this way favour endothelial dysfunction, plaque formation, arrhythmias and impaired…