1,721,083 research outputs found
SuperJump training in eumenorrheic women and gut peptides: a randomized controlled study about the mechanism of action on bone and glucose homeostasis
No full textThe role played by physical activity in promoting bone health is now widely recognized. Physical activity limits and slows down the physiological demineralization that occurs over the years and plays an important role in the prevention of osteoporosis. SuperJump, a high-impact training activity performed on a mini-trampoline characterized by alternating between aerobic and anaerobic exercises, has been shown to be able to generate a substantial osteogenic response and increase bone balance and strength in eumenorrheic women. In this study it was analyzed whether gastrointestinal peptides play a role in the regulation of bone metabolism and their impact on glucose homeostasis. Methods Using a randomized controlled study design, participants were assigned either to the intervention group performing SuperJump activity for 20 weeks or to the control group, that did not undertake any intervention. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the study and compared within and between the groups for markers of bone metabolism (CTX, osteocalcin, PTH, Vitamin D, albumin adjusted calcium) gut peptides (GLP-1, GIP, GLP-2, PYY, ghrelin) markers of glucose metabolism (glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, β-cell function, insulin sensitivity). Results After 20 weeks of SuperJump activity, CTX and PTH was reduced, GLP-1 and GIP levels were significantly increased while levels of GLP-2, PYY and ghrelin did not change. Moreover, SuperJump activity significantly reduced fasting insulin, glucose, insulin resistance and increased insulin sensitivity but did not affect beta cell function.ConclusionThe results of the study show that 20 weeks of SuperJump was highly effective in improving bone and glucose homeostasis in eumenorrheic women and suggests that GLP-1, and GIP are involved in the mechanism of action
Beta-glucans and cancer: The influence of inflammation and gut peptide
No full textDietary β-glucans are soluble fibers with potentially health-promoting effects. Gut peptides are important signals in the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis. This article reviews the effects of different enriched β-glucan food consumption on immune responses, inflammation, gut hormone and cancer. Gut hormones are influenced by enriched β-glucan food consumption and levels of such peptide as YY, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and 2 in humans influence serum glucose concentration as well as innate and adaptive immunity. Cancer cell development is also regulated by obesity and glucose dishomeostasy that are influenced by β-glucan food consumption that in turn regulated gut hormones
Obesogenic Diets Cause Alterations on Proteins and Theirs Post-Translational Modifications in Mouse Brains
Full text linkObesity constitutes a major global health threat and is associated with a variety of diseases ranging from metabolic and cardiovascular disease, cancer to neurodegeneration. The hallmarks of neurodegeneration include oxidative stress, proteasome impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction and accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates as well as metabolic alterations. As an example, in post-mortem brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), several studies have reported reduction of insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin receptorand an increase in tau protein and glycogen-synthase kinase-3β compared to healthy controls suggesting an impairment of metabolism in the AD patient’s brain. Given these lines of evidence, in the present study we investigated brains of mice treated with 2 obesogenic diets, high-fat diet (HFD) and high-glycaemic diet (HGD), compared to mice fed with a standard diet (SD) employing a quantitative mass spectrometry-based approach. Moreover, post-translational modified proteins (phosphorylated and N-linked glycosylated) were studied. The aim of the study wasto identify proteins present in the brain that are changing their expression based on the diet given to the mice. We believed that some of these changes would highlight pathways and molecular mechanisms that could link obesity to brain impairment. The results showed in this study suggest that, together with cytoskeletal proteins, mitochondria and metabolic proteins are changing their post-translational status in brains of obese mice. Specifically, proteins involved in metabolic pathways and in mitochondrial functions are mainly downregulated in mice fed with obesogenic diets compared to SD. These changes suggest a reduced metabolism and a lower activity of mitochondria in obese mice. Some of these proteins, such as PGM1 and MCT1 have been shown to be involved in brain impairment as well. These results might shed light on the well-studied correlation between obesity and brain damage. The results presented here are in agreement with previous findings and aim to open new perspectives on the connection between diet-induced obesity and brain impairment
Short-term cactus pear [opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill] fruit supplementation ameliorates the inflammatory profile and is associated with improved antioxidant status among healthy humans
Full text linkBackground: Dietary ingredients and food components are major modifiable factors protecting immune system and preventing the progression of a low-grade chronic inflammation responsible for age-related diseases. Objective: Our study explored whether cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica, Surfarina cultivar) fruit supplementation modulates plasma inflammatory biomarkers in healthy adults. Correlations between inflammatory parameters and antioxidant status were also assessed in parallel. Design: In a randomised, 2-period (2 weeks/period), crossover, controlled-feeding study, conducted in 28 healthy volunteers [mean age 39.96 (±9.15) years, BMI 23.1 (±1.5) kg/m2], the effects of a diet supplemented with cactus pear fruit pulp (200 g, twice a day) were compared with those of an equivalent diet with isocaloric fresh fruit substitution. Results: With respect to control, cactus pear diet decreased (p < 0.05) the pro-inflammatory markers such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon-γ (INF)-γ, IL-8, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), whereas it increased (p < 0.05) the anti-inflammatory marker IL-10. Moreover, the diet decreased ratios between pro-inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory biomarker (IL-10) (p < 0.05). Cactus pear supplementation caused an increase (p < 0.05) in dermal carotenoids (skin carotenoid score, SCS), a biomarker of the body antioxidant status, with correlations between SCS and CRP (r = −0.905, p < 0.0001), IL-8 (r = −0.835, p < 0.0001) and IL-10 (r = 0.889, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The presently observed modulation of both inflammatory markers and antioxidant balance suggests cactus pear fruit as a novel and beneficial component to be incorporated into current healthy dietary habits
Serum Irisin Concentrations in Severely Inflamed Patients
No full textIrisin is a recently discovered exercise-induced myokine that has been attributed the role of favoring white-to-brown adipose tissue trans-differentiation. We confirmed in a population-based cohort that irisin serum concentrations are independently correlated with the habitual level of physical activity, but we also observed an independent correlation with serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), thus suggesting that inflammation may influence irisin production. In order to investigate the association between irisin and inflammation, we measured serum irisin concentrations in a group of inflamed inpatients. We hypothesized that if an association between irisin and inflammation exists, severely inflamed patients, even though physically inactive, might also exhibit high serum irisin levels. We recruited 40 consecutive markedly inflamed inpatients on the basis of serum CRP levels. Their irisin serum concentrations (Phoenix Europe, Germany) were compared with those obtained in the population-based cohort of the ABCD_2 study (Alimentazione, Benessere Cardiovascolare e Diabete) (ISRCTN15840340). The inflamed patients exhibited higher serum irisin concentrations (median: 6.77 ng/ml; 95% CI for the median: 5.97-7.23) than those observed in the ABCD cohort (median: 5.21 ng/ml; 95% CI for the median: 5.08-5.30; p <0.001). Irisin concentrations were significantly correlated with age (r=-0.44; p <0.001), creatinine (r=-0.35; p <0.05), and fibrinogen (r=0.40; p <0.05) concentrations. No association was observed between irisin, interleukine-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. This study confirms the association between inflammation and irisin concentrations. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying this association and its possible clinical implications
Increased eryptosis in smokers is associated with the antioxidant status and C-reactive protein levels
No full textCigarette smoking has been linked with oxidative stress and inflammation. In turn, eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death similar to apoptosis that can be triggered by oxidative stress, has been associated with chronic inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis. However, the link between smoking and eryptosis has not been explored so far. The aim of the present study was to determine the level of eryptotic erythrocytes in healthy male smokers (n = 21) compared to non-smokers (n = 21) and assess its relationship with systemic inflammation (CRP) as well as with antioxidant defense (GSH) and their resistance to ex-vivo induced hemolysis. Smoking caused an increase in phosphatidylserine translocation outside the erythrocyte membrane (hallmark of eryptosis), significantly correlated to the plasma level of CRP (r = 0.546) and GSH concentration in erythrocytes (r=−0.475). With respect to non-smokers, smokers show a marginal increase of total leucocytes and erythrocyte volume, no modifications of the RBC resistance to oxidative stress-induced hemolysis and hematological and lipid parameters unvaried. We conclude that the inflammatory status (high CRP levels) and RBC oxidative stress (low GSH levels) caused by cigarette smoking are associated with an increase of eryptotic erythrocytes, a yet unknown relationship potentially involved with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in smokers
Dare to jump: The effect of the new high impact activity SuperJump on bone remodeling. A new tool to maintain fitness during COVID-19 home confinement
Full text linkSuperJump is a high impact activity performed on an elastic trampoline that mixes aerobic and anaerobic exercises already proposed as home-based activity for preventing a sedentary lifestyle. We determined in a randomized controlled trial whether 20 weeks of SuperJump activity would promote bone formation and reduce resorption in eumenorrheic women. Twenty-four women were randomized to a non-exercise group (control group) or an exercise group that performed SuperJump activity three times a week for 20 weeks. Blood samples were collected in both groups at baseline and at the end of the 20 weeks and compared within and between the groups for C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), a marker of bone resorption, osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, and the markers of bone metabolism parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, albumin-adjusted calcium (Aa calcium), vitamin D, phosphate and potassium. After 20 weeks of SuperJump activity, levels of CTX were significantly reduced while levels of osteocalcin were increased. PTH, calcium and potassium were involved in the mechanism of action because PTH was reduced while calcium and potassium were increased. Calcitonin, vitamin D and phosphate levels did not change. These data suggest that SuperJump activity is able to reduce bone resorption and improve bone formation by acting on essential regulators of bone metabolism. They also suggest that SuperJump training may be used as a valuable intervention to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis in aging because it improves bone homeostasis in favor of bone formation and could counteract a sedentary lifestyle, such as during COVID-19 home confinement, which could itself contribute to the variation of bone metabolism. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04942691 –retrospectively registered
The Role of Consumption of Molybdenum Biofortified Crops in Bone Homeostasis and Healthy Aging
Full text linkOsteoporosis is a chronic disease and public health issue in aging populations. Inadequate intake of micronutrients increases the risk of bone loss during an adult’s lifespan and therefore of osteoporosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of consumption of biofortified crops with the micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) on bone remodeling and metabolism in a population of adults and seniors. The trial enrolled 42 senior and 42 adult people randomly divided into three groups that consumed lettuce biofortified with molybdenum (Mo-biofortified group) or without biofortification (control group) or molybdenum in a tablet (Mo-tablet group) for 12 days. We chose an experimental period of 12 days because the bone remodeling marker levels are influenced in the short term. Therefore, a period of 12 days allows us to determine if there are changes in the indicators. Blood samples, obtained at time zero and at the end of the study, were compared within the groups adults and seniors for the markers of bone resorption, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and bone formation osteocalcin, along with the markers of bone metabolism, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, albumin-adjusted calcium, vitamin D, phosphate and potassium. Consumption of a Mo tablet did not affect bone metabolism in the study. Consumption of Mo-biofortified lettuce significantly reduced levels of CTX and PTH and increased vitamin D in adults and seniors while levels of osteocalcin, calcitonin, calcium, potassium and phosphate were not affected. The study opens up new considerations about the role of nutrition and supplementation in the prevention of chronic diseases in middle-aged and older adults. Consumption of Mo-biofortified lettuce positively impacts bone metabolism in middle-aged and older adults through reduced bone resorption and improved bone metabolism while supplementation of Mo tablets did not affect bone remodeling or metabolism. Therefore, Mo-biofortified lettuce may be used as a nutrition intervention to improve bone homeostasis and prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis in the elderly
Effect of training with Supejump® on bone metabolism in women
Full text linkPhysical exercise is recommended to decrease bone loss in elderly women. Supejump® is a new workout activity performed on a modified elastic mini trampoline that mixes aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The aim of the study was to investigate the long-term effects of training with Supejump® on bone metabolism in women. Twelve women were involved in the study. They performed Supejump®, three times a week, each session lasting 60 mins for a total of 20-weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the 20-weeks of training. The biomarkers of bone resorption (c-terminal telopeptide region of collagen type 1 (β-CTX)), bone formation (osteocalcin), and calcitonin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate, cortisol, total vitamin D, were analyzed. The β-CTX and PTH were reduced after 20 weeks of Supejump® training while calcitonin, calcium and total vitamin D were increased. These data suggest that the 20-weeks intervention had a high impact in reducing bone resorption and improving bone metabolism. In conclusion Supejump® training may be considered as a valuable intervention to prevent osteoporosis in aging because it improves bone metabolism
Genetic risk factors and candidate biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease
No full textAlzheimer's disease is a multifactorial and
progressive neurodegenerative disease, extremely diffused
and with an increasing prevalence worldwide. There is an
urgent need for biomarkers to diagnose AD early in its
course. Furthermore, accurate biomarkers would be able to
determine the clinical efficacy of novel neuroprotective
strategies. Although the heritability of late-onset AD is
high, our knowledge of the underlying putative
susceptibility genes remains incomplete and the only
unequivocally established late-onset AD gene is APOE.
Nevertheless a number of susceptibility loci seems to
influence the pathogenesis of AD, and variations in
numerous genes have been considered to be important in
the risk for AD. Many advances have been made in
identifying biochemical indices of brain dysfunction,
measured in body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid and
plasma, with different methodological approaches.
Although these biomarkers are promising, none of them
can predict AD with 100% confidence to date. This review
will elaborate on the available selection of genetic and
biochemical biomarkers for AD, with a particular reference
to those linked to inflammation and oxidative stress
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