781 research outputs found
Interleukin 6-174 G/C promoter gene polymorphism and sporadic Alzheimer's disease: geographic allele and genotype variations in Europe
No full textThe interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene in humans is located in the short arm of chromosome 7 and has a-174 G/C polymorphism in its promoter
region. The C allele at position-174 in the promoter of the interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene has been associated with reduced gene expression and
reduced plasma levels of IL-6. Given the supposed role of several inflammatory mediators in neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease
(AD), the IL-6-174 G/C promoter polymorphism has been associated with AD with contrasting findings. First aim of the present study was to
investigate whether there was evidence in Southern Italy of an association between the IL-6-174 G/C promoter polymorphism and AD.
Secondly, we also tested a possible effect of geographic genetic variations on existing reported associations comparing our results with the
findings from published studies on other European populations. We examined apolipoprotein E (APOE) and IL-6-174 G/C promoter
polymorphisms in a cohort of 168 sporadic AD patients and 220 sex- and age-matched nondemented controls from Southern Italy. No
differences have been found in the IL-6-174 G/C promoter allele and genotype frequencies between AD patients and controls nor in early and late-onset subsets of AD patients. No statistically significant differences in frequencies between IL-6-174 G/C promoter alleles and AD among APOE allele strata were found. Finally, comparing our results with the findings from other European populations, the IL-6*G/*G genotype frequency showed a statistically significant increasing trend from Northern to Southern regions of Europe in AD patients and controls, with a concomitant increase in IL-6*C/*G genotype frequency. Furthermore, an increasing geographical trend from North to South was found for the IL-6*G allele, with a concomitant inverse trend for IL-6*C allele. We suggest that regional European differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-6-174 G/C promoter polymorphism may explain in part controversial findings on this polymorphism in AD in various European studie
Interleukin 6 -174 G/C promoter gene polymorphism in centenarians: No evidence of association with human longevity or interaction with apolipoprotein e alleles
No full textWhole-Grain Intake in the Mediterranean Diet and a Low Protein to Carbohydrates Ratio Can Help to Reduce Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease, Slow Down the Progression of Aging, and to Improve Lifespan: A Review
No full textIncrease in the aging population is a phenomenon all over the world. Maintaining good functional ability, good mental health, and cognitive function in the absence of severe disease and physical disability define successful aging. A healthy lifestyle in middle age predisposes successful aging. Longevity is the result of a multifactorial phenomenon, which involves feeding. Diets that emphasize fruit and vegetables, whole grains rather than refined grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats, fish, legumes, and nuts are inversely associated with mortality or to a lower risk of becoming frail among elderly subjects. A regular physical activity and a regular intake of whole grain derivatives together with the optimization of the protein/carbohydrate ratio in the diet, where the ratio is significantly less than 1 such as in the Mediterranean diet and the Okinawan diet, reduces the risk of developing aging-related diseases and increases healthy life expectancy. The purpose of our review was to analyze cohort and case-control studies that investigated the effects of cereals in the diet, especially whole grains and derivatives as well as the effects of a diet with a low protein–carbohydrate ratio on the progression of aging, mortality, and lifespan
The cathepsin D Gene Exon 2 Polymorphism and sporadic Alzheimer's disease in European Population
No full textFresh Fruit
No full textFresh fruit is a fixed component of Mediterranean diet, in that it is an integral part
of lunch and dinner and substitutes the dessert.
Fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, calories, and important sources of many essential nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, and folate (folic acid). None have cholesterol. The fruit fiber content is important for proper bowel function: it helps reduce constipation and diverticulosis. Moreover, fiber-containing foods, such as fruits, help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Whole or cut-up fruits are important sources of dietary fiber; fruit juices contain little or no fiber. Fruits contain also many antioxidants such as polyphenolic flavonoids and vitamin C. These compounds protect from oxidant stress, diseases, and cancers, and help the body develop capacity to fight against these ailments by boosting the immunity level. The high antioxidant values of fruit can be measured as “Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity” (ORAC). According to US Department of Agriculture [1], it is highly advisable to eat a diet rich in fruit, for the following reasons:
• May reduce risk for stroke, other cardiovascular diseases, and type-2 diabetes.
• A fruit containing eating pattern is part of an overall healthy diet and may protect
against certain cancers.
• Fruit helps maintain optimum health due to the health promoting phytochemicals
it contains—many of which are still being identified.
• One to 2–1/2 cups of fruit are recommended each day, depending on how many
calories you need.
In the Healthiest Way of Eating Plan, the consumption of 5–10 servings of fruits-plus- vegetables ccombined) each day is encouraged. In particular, they recommend for a more generous amount of fruits and vegetables than the amount recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at the U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services (DHHS). The CDC recommends between 1.5–2.5 cups of fruit and 2.5–4.0 cups of vegetables per day, as well as a target goal of at least 5 fruit-plus-vegetable servings (combined) per day. The WHFoods recommend to take closer to 3 fruit servings per day (consisting of one cup’s worth of fruit per serving, or 3 cups total per day) to provide with optimum health benefits. With respect to berries (grapes are included among the berry fruits), it is recommended to include berries at least 3–4 times per week within fruit servings. In several sample meal plans, berries are included on a daily basis. It would definitely not be a mistake to include a serving of either grapes, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, or other berries in a daily meal plan! When including grapes among daily fruit servings, one should treat one cup as the equivalent of approximately 15–20 grapes. Here, the most common fruit of the daily Mediterranean diet are briefly described
Systemic and intestinal chronic inflammation, diet and cancer: an unbreakable bond
No full textIdiopathic intestinal inflammatory diseases (IID) include two types of chronic intestinal disorders: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative rectocolitis. Evidence suggests that the IID is derived from the loss of immune tolerance in normal enteric bacteria diners in a genetically susceptible host. In humans, the initial intestinal immune response to intestinal microbiota is closely regulated; this regulation determines if there is a condition of immune tolerance or an inflammatory defensive response. The alteration of the balance of this immune response can lead to IID. In healthy people, the intestinal lamina contains a complex population of cells of the immune system that secrete cytokines with the function of modulating the immune response, both in anti-inflammatory direction that reduce immune response [transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and interleukin-10] and pro-inflammatory direction. All these mediators are produced by innate and adaptive immune cells, which limit the excessive entry of intestinal microbiota and defend themselves from pathogens. The balance of the immune response is maintained between regulatory T cells and effector T cells (Th1, Th2 and Th17). In IID, innate cells increase the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-12, interleukin-23 and chemokines. There is a marked increase in the thickness of the lamina propria, with an increase in the number of CD4+ T cells, in particular proinflammatory subgroups of T cells, which also produce cytokines and chemokines in high quantities. This increase in the production of cytokines determines the recruitment of further leukocytes, thus determining a vicious circle that maintains the state of inflammatio
The Mediterranean diet: a pathway to successful aging.
No full textThe Mediterranean diet has long been known for its health benefits. As early as during the 1950s, Ancel Keys, an American researcher who studied the infuence of the diet on health, championed the utility of the Mediterranean diet in keeping serum cholesterol levels down and in reducing myocardial infarction risk. In 1970, Ancel Keys published the fndings of the “Seven Country Study”, which investigated diet+lifestyle+other risk factors for cardiovascular disease across several countries and cultures over an extended period of time, in an article in the prestigious journal Circulation. The study clearly demonstrated that coronary heart disease (CHD) in the men between 40 and 59 living in seven diferent countries was signifcantly associated with the type of diet they were following and, in particular, to the saturated fat content of the diet. Compared to the individuals following a Mediterranean-type diet, who showed a relatively low incidence
of CHD (Greece=32 cases/10,000/year; Yugoslavia=53 cases/10.000/year; Italy = 100 cases/10,000/year), men living in the United States and Finland, countries where a
(western) diet high in saturated fat was predominantly followed, showed a signifcantly higher incidence of CHD, which reached 177 and 198 cases/10,000/year, respectively.
Further studies showed that the Mediterranean diet could prevent and manage not only diseases of the cardiovascular system, but many others as well, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, thrombosis and neurodegenerative disorders, including dementia
Interleukin 6-174 G/C promoter gene polymorphism in centenarians: no evidence of association with human longevity or interaction with apolipoprotein E alleles.
No full textThe C allele at position 2174 in the promoter of the interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene has been associated with reduced gene expression and
reduced plasma levels of IL-6. Given that IL-6 tracks with functional disability and age-related diseases, there may be attrition or reduction in
the frequency of the homozygous subjects, who produce higher IL-6 serum levels, in older survivors in a population. In fact, a marked
reduction of the IL-6*G/*G genotype was recently demonstrated in male though not female Italian centenarians compared with younger age groups. First aim of the present study was to investigate whether there was evidence of an association among IL-6 2174 G/C promoter polymorphism and extreme longevity in a population of 81 centenarians compared with a control group of 122 middle-aged healthy subjects (mean age: 51 ^ 18 SD; range: 19–73 years), from Apulia (Southern Italy). Secondly, we also tested possible interaction of apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles with the IL-6 2174 G/C promoter polymorphism in view of our recent findings for reduced APOE 14 allele in centenarians. No differences have been found in the IL-6 2174 G/C promoter allele and genotype frequencies between centenarians and controls nor was there any observed interaction with APOE alleles that are also reputed to be linked to longevity. Regional genetic differences in conjunction with differing environmental factors may explain in part previous results suggesting a role of this polymorphism in longevity
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