@article {Cobianchi:May :0963-6897:559,
	author = "Cobianchi, Lorenzo and Fornoni, Alessia and Pileggi, Antonello and Molano, R. Damaris and Sanabria, Nahir Y. and Gonzalez-Quintana, Jorge and Bocca, Nicola and Marzorati, Simona and Zahr, Elsie and Hogan, Anthony R. and Ricordi, Camillo and Inverardi, Luca",
	title = "Riboflavin Inhibits IL-6 Expression and p38 Activation in Islet Cells",
	journal = "Cell Transplantation",
	volume = "17",
	number = "5",
	year = "May ",
	abstract = "Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin that reduces the production of proinflammatory mediators and oxygen radicals. Because islet β-cells are very sensitive to oxidative stress and to cytokines, we investigated the possible cytoprotective effects of riboflavin on insulinoma NIT-1 cells and on isolated rodent islets. NIT-1 cells and islets cultured in the presence or absence of 10 μM riboflavin were studied at baseline and after exposure to cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, INF-γ). Riboflavin treatment did not affect islet cell viability as assessed by flow cytometry for caspases activation. However, riboflavin prevented the cytokine-induced increase in IL-6 mRNA expression and p38 phosphorylation analyzed by real-time PCR and immunoassay, respectively. In summary, nontoxic doses of riboflavin prevent cytokines-induced p38 phosphorylation and IL-6 upregulation in islet cells. This observation, together with the safety profile of riboflavin in the clinical setting, makes it an appealing agent for islet cytoprotection in islet transplantation protocols.",
	pages = "559-566",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/2008/00000017/00000005/art00008",
	doi = "doi:10.3727/096368908785096060",
	keyword = "Riboflavin, IL-6, p38, Cytoprotection, Pancreatic islets, Inflammation"
}