Prof. Naphtali Savion

Emeritus in Eye Institute (Goldschleger)
מכון עיניים ע"ש גולדשלגר אמריטוס

Positions

Professor (Emeritus) of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry and Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

 

 

Research

Novel Antioxidant for Treatment of Age-related Degenerative Diseases

We are studying the potential of S-allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine (ASSNAC) a newly developed derivative of allicin (the active component in garlic) to serve as a treatment for oxidative stress associated degenerative diseases. The research involves cell biology tools and animal models.

 The following specific subjects are studied:

  • Demonstrating the capacity of ASSNAC to activate the transcription factor Nrf2 resulting in up-regulation of the antioxidant cellular mechanisms that increases the protective capacity of cells against reactive oxygen species. The research is done using cells in culture and c. elegans nematodes models.
  • Testing the potential of ASSNAC to attenuate the clinical manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, retinal degenerating diseases and cataract using animal models.

 

Publications

Selected Publications:

  • I. Bleichman, S. Hiram-Bab, Y. Gabet, N. Savion. S-Allylmercapto-N-Acetylcysteine (ASSNAC) Attenuates Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized (OVX) Mice. Antioxidants 13:474, 2024. [I.F. 7.0] https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040474
  • R. Abu-Kheit, S. Kotev-Emeth, S. Hiram-Bab, Y. Gabet, N. Savion. S-Allylmercapto-N-Acetylcysteine protects bone cells from oxidation and improves femur microarchitecture in healthy and diabetic mice. Exp. Biol. Med., 247:1489-1500, 2022. [I.F. 4.08] https://doi.org/10.1177/15353702221095047
  • N. Savion, S. Dahamshi, M. Morein, S. Kotev-Emeth.  S-Allylmercapro-N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates the Oxidation-Induced Lens Opacification and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Death In Vitro. Antioxidants, 8:25, 2019. [I.F. 4.520]   10.3390/antiox8010025
  • N. Savion, A. Levine, S. Kotev-Emeth, U. Bening Abu-Shach, L. Broday.  S-allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine protects against oxidative stress and extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLOS One, 13(3):e0194780. 2018.      10.1371/journal.pone.0194780
  • Budnik, B. Shenkman, H. Hauschner, I. Zilinsky, N. Savion.  Role of heterotrimeric G proteins in platelet activation and clot formation in platelets treated with integrin αIIbβ3 inhibitor. Platelets, 29(3):265-269, 2017.    (DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2017.1295136)
  • D. Ben-Zvi, N. Savion, F. Kolodgie, A. Simon, S. Fisch, K. Schäfer, N. Bachner-Hinenzon, X. Cao, A. Gertler, G. Solomon, E. Kachel, E. Raanani, J. Lavee, S. Kotev Emeth, R. Virmani, F.J. Schoen, J. Schneiderman.  Local application of leptin antagonist attenuates Angiotensin II-induced ascending aortic aneurysm and cardiac remodeling. J. Am. Heart Assoc. 5(5):e003474; 2016.  (doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003474).
  • Budnik, B. Shenkman, N. Savion.  Role of G protein signaling in formation of the fibrin(ogen)–integrin αIIbβ3–actin cytoskeleton complex in platelets. Platelets, 27(6):563-575, 2016. (DOI: 10.3109/09537104.2016.1147544)
  • Budnik, B. Shenkman, N. Savion.  Synergistic effect of signaling from receptors of soluble platelet agonists and outside-in signaling in formation of a stable fibrinogen–integrin αIIbβ3–actin cytoskeleton complex. Thromb. Res. 135:114–120, 2015. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2014.10.005)
  • N. Savion, N. Izigov, M. Morein, S. Pri-Chen, S. Kotev-Emeth.  S-Allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine (ASSNAC) protects cultured nerve cells from oxidative stress and attenuates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Neurosci. Lett. 583:108-113, 2014. 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.09.034
  • I. Ben Aharon, H. Bar Joseph, M. Tzabari, B. Shenkman, N. Farzam, M. Levi, R. Shalgi, S.M. Stemmer, N. Savion. Doxorubicin-induced vascular toxicity - Targeting potential pathways may reduce procoagulant activity. PLOS ONE, 8(9): e75157, 2013.      (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0075157)
  • M. Tao, P. Yu, B.T. Nguyen, B. Mizrahi, N. Savion, G. Sukhova, F.D. Kolodgie, R. Virmani, C.K. Ozaki, J. Schneiderman. Locally Applied Leptin Induces Regional Aortic Wall Degeneration in ApoE Deficient Mice Preceding Aneurysm Formation. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 33(2):311-20, 2013. (doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.112.300543.)
  • J. Schneiderman, K. Schaefer, F.D. Kolodgie, N. Savion, S. Kotev-Emeth, R. Dardik, A.J. Simon, M. Halak, C. Pariente, I. Engelberg, S. Konstantinides, R. Virmani. Leptin Locally Synthesized in Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques may be Associated with Lesion Instability and Cerebral Emboli. J. Am. Heart Assoc. September 4, 2012; 1: e001727.      (doi:10.1161/JAHA.112.001727).
  • S. Mendelboum Raviv, K. Szekeres-Csiki, A. Jenei, J. Nagy, B. Shenkman, N. Savion, J. Harsfalvi. Coating conditions matter to collagen matrix formation regarding von Willebrand factor and platelet binding. Thromb. Res. 129: e29–e35, 2012.      (doi:10.1016/j.thromres.2011.09.030)
  • N. Izigov, N. Farzam, N. Savion. S-allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine up-regulates cellular glutathione and protects vascular endothelial cells from oxidative stress. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 50: 1131–1139, 2011. (DOI:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.01.028)
  • L. Horev-Azaria, S, Eliav, N. Izigov, S. Pri-Chen, D. Mirelman, T. Miron, A. Rabinkov, M. Wilchek, J. Jacob-Hirsch, N. Amariglio, N. Savion. Allicin Up-Regulates Cellular Glutathione Level in Vascular Endothelial cells. Eur. J. Nutrition, 48: 67-74, 2009.     (DOI:10.1007/s00394-008-0762-3)
  • N. Geffen, M. Topaz, L. Kredy-Farhan, I. Barequet, N. Farzam, E.I. Assia, N. Savion. Phacoemulsification-induced injury in corneal endothelial cells is mediated by apoptosis: a novel in-vitro model. J. Cataract Refract. Surg., 34: 2146-2152, 2008.      (DOI:10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.08.024)
  • B. Shenkman, S. Matetzky, P. Fefer, H. Hod, Y. Einav, A. Lubetsky, D. Varon, N. Savion. Variable responsiveness to clopidogrel and aspirin among patients with acute coronary syndrome as assessed by platelet function tests. Thromb. Res., 122: 336-345, 2008.     (DOI:10.1016/j.thromres.2007.10.018)
  • S. Pitaru, M. Noff, L. Blok, E. Nir, S. Pitaru, A. Goldlust, N. Savion. Long-term efficacy of a novel ribose-cross-linked collagen dermal filler: A histologic and histomorphometric study in an animal model. Dermatologic Surgery 33(9): 1045-1053: 2007.     (DOI:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33218.x)
  • N. Savion, D. Varon. Impact - The Cone and Plate(let) Analyzer: Testing Platelet Function and Anti-Platelet Drug Response. J. Pathophysiol. Haemost. Thromb. 35: 83-88, 2006.     (DOI:10.1159/000093548)
  • Y. Porat, S. Porozov, D. Belkin, D. Shimoni, Y. Fisher, A. Belleli, D. Czeiger, W. F. Silverman, M. Belkin, A. Battler, V. Fulga, N. Savion. Isolation of an Adult Blood-Derived Progenitor Cell Population Capable of Differentiation into Angiogenic, Myocardial and Neural Lineages. Brit. J. Haematol. 135: 703-714; 2006. (DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06344.x)
  • A. Solpov, B. Shenkman, Y. Vitkovsky, G. Brill, A. Koltakov, N. Farzam, D. Varon, I. Bank, N. Savion. Platelets Enhance CD4+ Lymphocyte Adhesion to Extracellular Matrix under Flow Conditions: Role of Platelet Aggregation, Integrins, and non-Integrin Receptors. Thromb. Haemost. 95: 815-821, 2006.     (DOI:10.1160/TH05-07-0524)
  • S. Matetzky, B. Shenkman, V. Guetta, M. Shechter, R. Bienart, I. Goldenberg, I. Novikov, H. Pres, N. Savion, D. Varon, H. Hod. Clopidogrel Resistance Is Associated With Increased Risk of Recurrent Atherothrombotic Events in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction. Circulation 109: 3171-3175, 2004. (DOI:10.1161/01.CIR.0000130846.46168.03)
  • S. Kotev-Emeth, S. Pitaru, S. Pri-Chen, N. Savion. Establishment of a rat long-term culture expressing the osteogenic phenotype: dependence on Dexamethasone and FGF-2. Connective Tissue Res, 43: 606-612, 2002.      (DOI:10.1080/03008200290001339)
  • N. Savion, B. Shenkman, I. Tamarin, R. Dardik, D. Varon. Transient adhesion refractoriness of platelets under flow conditions: The role of partial activation and microaggregate formation in controlling thrombus expansion. Brit. J. Haematol. 112: 1055-1061, 2001.     (DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.02657.x)
  • R. Dardik, D. Varon, I. Tamarin, A. Zivelin, O. Salomon, B. Shenkman, N. Savion. Homocysteine and oxidized low density lipoprotein enhance platelet adhesion to endothelial cells under flow conditions: Distinct mechanisms of thrombogenic modulation. Thromb. Haemost. 83:338-344, 2000.
  • D. Varon, R. Dardik, B. Shenkman, S. Kotev-Emeth, N. Farzame, I. Tamarin, N. Savion. A new method for quantitative analysis of whole blood platelet interaction with extracellular matrix under flow conditions. Thromb. Res. 85:283-294, 1997.     (DOI:10.1016/S0049-3848(97)00014-5)
  • A. Battler, M. Scheinowitz, A. Bor, D. Hasdai, Z. Vered, E. Di Segni, N. Varda-Bloom, D. Nass, S. Engelberg, M. Eldar, M. Belkin, N. Savion. Intracoronary injection of basic fibroblast growth factor enhances angiogenesis in infarcted swine myocardium. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 22: 2001-2006, 1993.
  • S. Pitaru, S. Kotev-Emeth, D. Noff, S. Kaffuler, N. Savion. Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on the growth and differentiation of adult stromal bone marrow cells: enhanced development of mineralized bone-like tissue in culture. J. Bone Mineral Res. 8: 919-929, 1993.
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