Journal of Microbiome and Gut Health

Dr. Sara Damiano is an Associate Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. She obtained her degree in Biotechnology in 2005 and a PhD in Nephrological Science in 2010. Her research expertise includes renal physiology, molecular biology, and experimental animal models, particularly in nephrology and toxicology.

She has extensive experience in renal microsurgery and biomolecular techniques and has contributed significantly to international research through numerous high-impact publications. Dr. Damiano has served as Principal Investigator and Scientific Coordinator in several national and international projects.

Her academic contributions also include teaching veterinary pharmacology, chemotherapy, and animal welfare, as well as mentoring PhD students and researchers. She actively collaborates with leading international institutions and research organizations.

• Environmental contaminants (in vivo and in vitro studies)
• Innovative therapeutic approaches for neoplastic diseases
• Diabetic nephropathy and antioxidant therapies
• Nephrotoxicity and immunosuppressive drug effects
• Essential hypertension in experimental models
• Molecular pharmacology and toxicology
• Kidney physiology and oxidative stress mechanisms

• Principal Investigator and coordinator of multiple funded research projects

• Active collaborations with international institutions including Temple University and Georgetown University

• Reviewer for scientific journals

• Participation in national and international conferences

• Member of Erasmus+ and internationalization committees

• PhD supervisor and academic tutor

• Contributor to microbiome research task force

1. Longobardi C, Damiano S, Vaccaro E, Ballistreri G, Restucci B, Paciello O, Florio S and Ciarcia R. Protective Effects of a Red Orange and Lemon Extract (RLE) on the Hepatotoxicity Induced by Ochratoxin A in Rats. Antioxidants 2024, 13, 289. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/antiox13030289. Toxins 2024, 16, 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ toxins16030151
2. Longobardi C, Damiano S, Fabroni S, Montagnaro S, Russo V, Vaccaro E, Giordano A, Florio S and Ciarcia R. Red Orange and Lemon Extract Ameliorates the Renal Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Ochratoxin A through the Modulation of Nrf2. Toxins 2024, 16(3), 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16030151
3. Lombari P, Mallardo M, Petrazzuolo O, Amruthraj Nagoth J, Fiume G, Scanni R, Iervolino A, Damiano S, Coppola A, Borriello M, Ingrosso D, Perna AF, Zacchia M, Trepiccione F, Capasso G. MiRNA-23a modulates sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1 expression: studies in medullary thick ascending limb of salt-induced hypertensive rats. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2023 Feb 28;38(3):586-598. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfac232.
4. Silvestri T, Grumetto L, Neri I, De Falco M, Graziano SF, Damiano S, Giaquinto D, Maruccio L, de Girolamo P, Villapiano F, Ciarcia R, Mayol L, Biondi M. Investigating the Effect of Surface Hydrophilicity on the Destiny of PLGA-Poloxamer Nanoparticles in an In Vivo Animal Model. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(19):14523. doi:10.3390/ijms241914523.
5. Damiano S, Longobardi C, Ferrara G, Piscopo N, Riccio L, Russo V, Meucci V, De Marchi L, Esposito L, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Oxidative Status and Histological Evaluation of Wild Boars' Tissues Positive for Zearalenone Contamination in the Campania Region, Southern Italy. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(9):1748. doi:10.3390/antiox12091748.
6. Cocchia N, Merlo B, Calabria A, Spada S, Iacono E, Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Giordano E, Laperuta F, Gasparrini B, Del Prete C. Effect of Maca aqueous extract addition to a freezing extender for canine semen. Vet Res Commun. 2023. doi:10.1007/s11259-023-10163-5.
7. Capolongo G, Damiano S, Suzumoto Y, Zacchia M, Rizzo M, Zona E, Pollastro RM, Simeoni M, Ciarcia R, Trepiccione F, Capasso G. Cyclosporin-induced hypertension is associated with the up-regulation of Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC2). Nephrol DialTransplant. 2023 8:gfad161. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfad161.
8. Ferrara G, Longobardi C, Damiano S, Ciarcia R, Pagnini U, Montagnaro S. Modifications of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis during FeHV-1 infection in permissive cells.Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1157350. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1157350.
9. Longobardi C, Damiano S, Ferrara G, Montagnaro S, Meucci V, Intorre L, Bacci S, Esposito L, Piscopo N, Rubino A, Raffaele A, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Zearalenone (ZEN) and Its Metabolite Levels in Tissues of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Southern Italy: A Pilot Study Toxins (Basel). 2023;15(1):56. doi: 10.3390/toxins15010056.
10. Ciarcia R, Longobardi C, Ferrara G, Montagnaro S, Andretta E, Pagnini F, Florio S, Maruccio L, Lauritano C, Damiano S. The Microalga Skeletonema marinoi Induces Apoptosis and DNA Damage in K562 Cell Line by Modulating NADPH Oxidase. Molecules. 2022 27;27(23):8270. doi:10.3390/molecules27238270.
11. Ferrara, F.; Nocera, F.P.; Longobardi, C.; Ciarcia, R.; Fioretti, A.; Damiano, S.; Iovane, G.; Pagnini,U.; Montagnaro, S. Retrospective Serosurvey of Three Porcine Coronaviruses among the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Population in the Campania Region of Italy. J Wildl Dis. 2022 1;58(4):887-891.doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00196.
12. Del Prete, C.;Calabria, A.;Longobardi, V.;Palumbo, V.;Merlo, B.;Iacono, E.;Tafuri, S.;Carotenuto,D.; Ciani, F.; Damiano, S.;Ciarcia, R.;Cocchia, Natascia., C. Effect of Aqueous Extract of Maca Addition to an Extender for Chilled Canine Semen. Animals, 2022, 12(13), 1638. Doi:10.3390/ani12131638.
13. Longobardi, C.; Ferrara, G.; Andretta, E.;Montagnaro, S.;Damiano, S.;Ciarcia, R. Ochratoxin A and Kidney Oxidative Stress: The Role of Nutraceuticals in Veterinary Medicine—A Review. Toxins, 2022, 14(6), 398. 10.3390/toxins14060398.
14. Damiano S., Jarriyawattanachaikul W., Girolami F., Longobardi C., Nebbia C., Andretta E., Lauritano C., Dabbou S., Avantaggiato G., Schiavone A., Badino P., Ciarcia R. Curcumin Supplementation Protects Broiler Chickens Against the Renal Oxidative Stress Induced by the Dietary Exposure to Low Levels of Aflatoxin B1. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2022, 8, 822227.
15. Damiano S., Longobardi C., Salzano A., D’Angelo L., Maggiolino A., De Palo P., Claps, S., Rufrano D., Iannaccone F.,Matera R., and Ciarcia R. Red orange and lemon extract preserve from oxidative stress, DNA damage and inflammatory status in lambs. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2022, 21,1:934-942.
16. Andretta E, Costa C, Longobardi C, Damiano S, Giordano A, Pagnini F, Montagnaro S, Quintiliani M, Lauritano C, Ciarcia R. Potential Approaches Versus Approved or Developing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Therapy. Front Oncol. 2021, 15;11:801779. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.801779. eCollection 2021.
17. Ariano A, Musco N, Severino L, De Maio A, Tramice A, Tommonaro G, Damiano S, Genovese A, Olanrewaju OS, Bovera F, Guerriero G.Chemistry of Tropical Eucheumatoids: Potential for Food and Feed Applications. Biomolecules. 20211(6):804. doi: 10.3390/biom11060804
18. Damiano S, Longobardi C, Andretta E, Prisco F, Piegari G, Squillacioti C, Montagnaro S, Pagnini F, Badino P, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Antioxidative Effects of Curcumin on the Hepatotoxicity Induced by Ochratoxin A in Rats. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 17;10(1):125. doi: 10.3390/antiox10010125.
19. Longobardi C, Damiano S, Andretta E, Prisco F, Russo V, Pagnini F, Florio S. Curcumin Modulates Nitrosative Stress, Inflammation, and DNA Damage and Protects against Ochratoxin A-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Rats.
20. Saide A, Damiano S, Ciarcia R, Lauritano C. Promising Activities of Marine Natural Products against Hematopoietic Malignancies. Biomedicines. 2021, 9(6):645. doi:
10.3390/biomedicines9060645.
21. Salzano A, Damiano S, D'Angelo L, Ballistreri G, Claps S, Rufrano D, Maggiolino A, Neglia G, De Palo P, Ciarcia R. Productive Performance and Meat Characteristics of Kids Fed a Red Orange and Lemon Extract. Animals (Basel). 2021,11(3):809. doi: 10.3390/ani11030809.
22. Damiano S, Lauritano C, Longobardi C, Andretta E, Elagoz A, Rapisarda P, Di Iorio M, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Effects of a Red Orange and Lemon Extract in Obese Diabetic Zucker Rats: Role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase. J Clin Med. 2020 May 25;9(5):E1600. doi: 10.3390/jcm9051600
23. Damiano S, Iovane V, Squillacioti C, Mirabella N, Prisco F, Ariano A, Amenta M, Giordano A, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Red Orange and Lemon Extract Prevents the Renal Toxicity Induced by Ochratoxin A in Rats. J Cell Physiol. 2020 Jun;235(6):5386-5393. doi: 10.1002/jcp.29425.
24. Damiano S, Lombari P, Salvi E, Papale M, Giordano A, Amenta M, Ballistreri G ,Fabroni S, Rapisarda P, Capasso G, Forte I, Barone D, Ciarcia R. A Red orange and Lemon by-products extract rich in anthocyanins inhibits the progression of Diabetic Nephropathy. J Cell Physiol. 2019; 234(12):23268-23278. doi: 10.1002/jcp.28893.
25. Montagnaro S, Damiano S, Ciarcia R, Puzio MV, Ferrara G, Iovane V, Forte IM, Giordano A, Pagnini U. Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) as a potential candidate for oncolytic virotherapy. Cancer Biol Ther. 2019; 20(1):42-51. doi: 10.1080/15384047.2018.1504722.
26. Montagnaro S, Piantedosi D, Ciarcia R, Loponte R, Veneziano V, Fusco G, Amoroso MG, Ferrara G, Damiano S, Iovane G, Pagnini U. Serological Evidence of Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses Circulation in Hunting Dogs in Campania Region, Italy.Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2019;
19(2):142-147. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2337. 27. Damiano S, Navas L, Lombari P, Montagnaro S, Forte IM, Giordano A, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Effects of δ-tocotrienol on ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. J Cell Physiol. 2018; 233(11):8731-8739.
28. Damiano S, Montagnaro S, Puzio MV, Severino L, Pagnini U, Barbarino M, Cesari D, Giordano A, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Effects of antioxidants on apoptosis induced by dasatinib and nilotinib in K562 cells. J Cell Biochem. 2018; 119(6):4845-4854.
29. Damiano S, Puzio MV, Squillacioti C, Mirabella N, Zona E, Mancini A, Borrelli A, Astarita C, Boffo S, Giordano A, Avallone L, Florio S, Ciarcia R. Effect of rMnSOD on Sodium
Reabsorption in Renal Proximal Tubule in Ochratoxin A-Treated Rats. J Cell Biochem. 2018; 119(1):424-430.
30. Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Squillacioti C, Mirabella N, Pagnini U, Florio A, Severino L, Capasso G, Borrelli A, Mancini A, Boffo S, Romano G, Giordano A, Florio S. Recombinant
mitochondrial manganese containing superoxide dismutase protects against Ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity. J Cell Biochem. 2016; 117(6):1352-81 doi: 10.1002/jcb.25425.
31. Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Puzio MV, Montagnaro S, Pagnini F, Pacilio C, Caparrotti G, Bellan C, Garofano T, Polito MS, Giordano A, Florio S. Comparison of Dasatinib, Nilotinib and Imatinib in the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. J Cell Physiol. 2016; 231(3):680- 687. doi: 10.1002/jcp.25118.
32. Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Florio A, Spagnuolo M, Zacchia E, Squillacioti C, Mirabella N, FlorioS, Pagnini U, Garofano T, Polito MS, Capasso G, Giordano A. The protective effect of Apocynin on Cyclosporine A-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity in rats. J Cell Biochem. 2015;116(9):1848-1856. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25140.
33. Damiano S, Ciarcia R, Montagnaro S, Pagnini U, Garofano T, Capasso G, Florio S, Giordano
A. Prevention of Nephrotoxicity Induced by Cyclosporine-A: Role of Antioxidants. J Cell
Biochem. 2015;116(3):364-369. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25022.
34. Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Montagnaro S, Pagnini U, Ruocco A, Caparrotti G, d'Angelo D, Boffo S, Morales F, Rizzolio F, Florio S, Giordano A. Combined effects of PI3K and SRC kinase inhibitors with imatinib on intracellular calcium levels, autophagy, and apoptosis in CML- PBL cells. Cell Cycle. 2013;12(17):2839-48. doi: 10.4161/cc.25920.
35. Damiano S, Trepiccione F, Ciarcia R, Scanni R, Spagnuolo M, Manco L, Borrelli A, Capasso C, Mancini R, Schiattarella A, Iervolino A, Zacchia E, Bata-Csere A, Florio S, Anastasio P,Pollastro R, Mancini A, Capasso G. A new recombinant MnSOD prevents the cyclosporineA-induced renal impairment. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2013;28(8):2066-72. doi:10.1093/ndt/gft020.
36. Capasso G, Geibel PJ, Damiano S, Jaeger P, Richards WG, Geibel JP. The calcium sensingreceptor modulates fluid reabsorption and acid secretion in the proximal tubule. Kidney Int.2013;84(2):277-84. doi: 10.1038/ki.2013.137.
37. Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Fiorito F, Granato G, Pagnini F, Mastellone V, Iovane V, Alfano L,Valenti F, Florio S, Giordano A. Hydrocortisone attenuates cyclosporin A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. J Cell Biochem. 2012; 113(3):997-1004. doi: 10.1002/jcb.23429.
38. Ciarcia R, d'Angelo D, Pacilio C, Pagnini D, Galdiero M, Fiorito F, Damiano S, Mattioli E,Lucchetti C, Florio S, Giordano A. Dysregulated calcium homeostasis and oxidative stress in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. J Cell Physiol. 2010; 224(2):443-53. doi: 10.1002/jcp.22140.
39. Panico C, Luo Z, Damiano S, Artigiano F, Gill P, Welch WJ.Renal proximal tubular reabsorption is reduced in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats: roles of superoxide and
Na+/H+ exchanger 3. Hypertension. 2009;54(6):1291-7. doi: 10.1161/hypertensionaha. 109.134783.
40. Capasso G, Rizzo M, Garavaglia ML, Trepiccione F, Zacchia M, Mugione A, Ferrari P, Paulmichl M, Lang F, Loffing J, Carrel M, Damiano S, Wagner CA, Bianchi G, Meyer G. Upregulation of apical sodium-chloride cotransporter and basolateral chloride channels is responsible for the maintenance of salt-sensitive hypertension. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2008; 295(2): F556-67. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00340.2007.
41. Capasso G, Di Gennaro CI, Della Ragione F, Manna C, Ciarcia R, Florio S, Perna A, Pollastro RM, Damiano S, Mazzoni O, Galletti P, Zappia V. In vivo effect of the natural antioxidant hydroxytyrosol on cyclosporine nephrotoxicity in rats. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2008; 23(4):1186-95. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfm784.
42. Montagnaro S, De Martinis C, Iovane V, Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Nizza S, De Martino L, Iovane G, Pagnini U. Bovine herpesvirus type 1 marker vaccine induces cross-protection against bubaline herpesvirus type 1 in water buffalo. Prev Vet Med. 2014; 116(1-2):56-62.doi:10.1016/j. prevetmed. 2014.06.002.
43. Damiano S, Scanni R, Ciarcia R, Florio S, Capasso G. Regulation of sodium transporters inthe kidney during cyclosporine treatment. J Nephrol. 2010; 23 Suppl 16: S191-8. Review.PMID: 21170880.
44. Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Panico C, Scanni R, Fiorito F, Florio S, Welch JW. Apocynin activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR): preliminary studies in vivo. Vet Res Commun.2010; 34 Suppl 1: S83-6. doi: 10.1007/s11259-010-9377-2.
45. Montagnaro S, De Martinis C, Sasso S, Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Auletta L, Iovane V, Zottola T, Pagnini U. Viral and Antibody Prevalence of Hepatitis E in European Wild Boars (Susscrofa) and Hunters at Zoonotic Risk in the Latium Region. J Comp Pathol. 2015; 153(1):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.04.006.
46. Simeoni M, Damiano S, Capolongo G, Trepiccione F, Zacchia M, Fuiano G, Capasso G. Rare Renal Diseases Can Be Used as Tools to Investigate Common Kidney Disorders. Kidney Dis
(Basel). 2017;3(2):43-49. doi: 10.1159/000475841.