Is nut consumption related to a sustainable diet? A pilot study on italian male consumers

(1) Background: In recent years, the EAT-Lancet Commission has suggested the inclusion of nuts among proteins from vegetable sources, but this inclusion would imply a higher consumption of nuts compared with a healthy Mediterranean diet. (2) Objective: In this work, we sought to provide a comparison between the macronutrient intakes and environmental impacts of two different types of diet: a diet including nuts and a diet without nuts. (3) Methods: In this pilot study, we recruited 89 Italians divided into two groups: nut consumers (44 individuals) and non-consumers (45 individuals). Food consumption was monitored by a seven-day diary, while the Mediterranean diet scores, habitual physical activity scores, and orthorexia nervosa scores were evaluated through standardized questionnaires. (4) Results: We found that nut consumers had higher physical activity and energy intake levels. High consumption of fat (p < 0.001) and protein (p < 0.001) was observed among nut consumers compared with the levels observed among non-consumers. Moreover, a higher environmental impact of total dietary intake was observed among nut consumers, in terms of carbon (p < 0.05) and land (p < 0.05) footprints; impacts on the water footprint was almost significant (p = 0.06). (5) Conclusions: We suggest that, among plant food proteins, the consumption of complementary proteins from legumes and cereals should be preferred to the consumption of proteins from nuts

Effect of flavonoids on circulating levels of TNF-(alfa ) and IL-6 in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Epidemiological or in vitro evidence suggests a potential role for flavonoids as anti-inflammatory agents; we investigated the effect of flavonoids-rich foods or supplements on tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-alfa) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in long-term placebo-controlled human interven- tion trials. From 110 human intervention studies selected (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CHORANE, and FSTA databases), 32 long-term placebo-controlled trials were suitable for meta-analysis. After sensitivity analysis, seven studies imputed of bias were excluded and 25 studies were analyzed (TNF-a, n = 2404; IL-6, n = 2174). Levels of TNF-a decreased after flavonoid con- sumption in the fixed model only (mean difference (MD) (95% CI): −0.098 (−0.188, –0.009), p = 0.032), but metaregression results showed that neither higher dose, nor a longer duration of intervention were associated with a greater effect size. Subgroup analysis did not reveal any significant effect for quercetin and soy, but other sources (red wine, pomegranate, and tea extracts) showed a significant effect size both in fixed (MD (95% CI): TNF-alfa−0.449 (−0.619, –0.280), p < 0.001; IL-6 −0.346 (−0.612, –0.079), p = 0.011) and random (MD (95% CI): TNF-alfa−0.783 (−1.476, –0.090), p = 0.027; IL-6, −0.556 (−1.062, –0.050), p = 0.031) effect models. High-quality placebo-controlled trials are needed in order to identify flavonoids as the active ingredients

A new flow cytometry method to measure oxidative status: The Peroxidation of Leukocytes Index Ratio (PLIR)

Background and aim: A complex relationship between immune system and metabolic pathway exists and can induce oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to design a new methodology allowing the measurement of oxidative status of leukocytes. Methods and results: We developed a flow cytometry technique, based on C11-BODIPY 581/591 staining, to evaluate peroxidation in leukocytes. We defined the Peroxidation of Leukocytes Index Ratio (PLIR) as the ratio between the damage after AAPH-induced and PMA-induced peroxidation, using Trolox as standard antioxidant. Sensitivity of the method was assessed by correlating results with plasma antioxidant capacity (TRAP and FRAP), levels of endogenous antioxidants (uric acid and sulfhydryls) and markers of metabolic status (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and insulin). PLIR measures the ratio between the resistance to exogenous and endogenous ROS injury, independently from baseline level of oxidation, which was directly correlated with plasma cholesterol on lymphocytes (0.738, p=0.029), monocytes (0.691, p=0.047) and neutrophils (0.690, p = 0.047). PLIR of lymphocytes was inversely correlated with uric acid (− 0.810, p = 0.009) and FRAP (− 0.738, p = 0.029) levels. On the other hand, PLIR of monocytes was directly correlated with the total scavenger antioxidant capacity attributable to nutritional antioxidants (0.738, p= 0.029), calculated as the difference between TRAP and the contribution of uric acid and sulfhydryls to its value. Conclusions: This study reports a feasible and reproducible new flow cytometry assay for assessing the leukocytes redox status. PLIR discriminates between reducing and scavenger activities and is able to appreciate the potentially dangerous effect of uric acid on innate immune response

Bioactive compounds in tomatoes: effect of organic vs conventional management in Parma in 2006

External and internal factors such as variety, season, location, ripening, growing conditions, technological and domestic processes could affect the content of bioactive compounds in food. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different agronomical practices (organic vs conventional) on the nutritional quality of tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes (cv. Perfectpeel), cultivated under organic and conventional practices were analysed for vitamin C, lycopene, -carotene, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, naringenin, rutin, quercetin, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP). CaCO2 monolayer cell cultures were used for testing membrane damage by Trans Epithelial Electrical Resistance(TEER). Results showed that for lycopene, naringenin and rutin no significant differences were observed. For -carotene and coumaric acid significantly higher values were found in organic samples. Values of vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and TAC were significantly higher in conventional tomato, but the FRAP values were significantly higher in organic tomato. The observed TEER values were not significant different between organic and conventional tomato

Italian wild rocket [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.]: influence of agricultural practices on antioxidant molecules and on cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effects

Wild rocket [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.] belongs to family Brassicaceae and has its origin in the Mediterranean region. The effect of conventional and integrated cultivation practices on the nutritional properties and benefits of wild rocket [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.] were studied. Bioactive molecules levels (vitamin C, quercetin, lutein), antioxidant properties and bioactivity of polyphenolic extracts from the edible part of rocket in Caco-2 cells were determined. Regarding antioxidant properties, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) values ranged from 4.44 ± 0.11 mmol/kg fw to 9.92 ± 0.46 mmol/Kg fw for conventional rocket and from 4.13±0.17 fw mmol/kg to 11.02 ± 0.45 mmol/Kg fw for integrated rocket. The characteristics of wild rocket as dietary source of antioxidants have been pointed out. Significant differences in the quality of conventional and integrated rocket have been shown, while no influence of agronomic practice on biological activity was reported. A significant accumulation of cells in G1 phase and a consequent reduction in the S and G2 + M phases was observed in Caco-2 cells treated with rocket polyphenol extrac

Mediterranean diet for the prevention of gestational diabetes in the covid-19 era: Implications of ll-6 in diabesity

The aim of this review is to highlight the influence of the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) during the COVID- 19 pandemic era and the specific role of interleukin (IL)-6 in diabesity. It is known that diabetes, high body mass index, high glycated hemoglobin and raised serum IL-6 levels are predictive of poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The immunopathological mechanisms of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection include rising levels of several cytokines and in particular IL-6. The latter is associated with hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and could be useful for predicting the development of GDM. Rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, MedDiet improves the immune system and could modulate IL-6, C reactive protein and Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB. Moreover, polyphenols could modulate microbiota composition, inhibit the NF-κB pathway, lower IL-6, and upregulate antioxidant enzymes. Finally, adhering to the MedDiet prior to and during pregnancy could have a protective effect, reducing GWG and the risk of GDM, as well as improving the immune response to viral infections such as COVID-19

Chocolate consumers and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio: a working hypothesis from a preliminary report of a pilot study in celiac subjects

Background and aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) with habitual consumption of dark chocolate in a group of celiac subjects in which chocolate consumption and lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) association had already been observed. Additionally, due to the known anti-nutrient effect on iron absorption, we evaluated red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) values. Methods: Chocolate consumers and non-consumers were matched for sex, menopausal status, NLR values over the previously suggested cut off (2.32) for celiac patients, and co-morbidities. Results: Chocolate consumers had high LMR compared to non-consumers, whereas no differences were observed between chocolate consumers and non-consumers in RBC, MCV, Hb and PLR. However, similar number of subjects had PLR higher than the previously suggested cut off (143.7) for celiac disease. Conclusions: This preliminary report suggests a working hypothesis for larger studies aimed at establishing cut off values for LMR in celiac patients and the modulation of this marker by dietary antioxidants