Adherence to the mediterranean diet and serum adiponectin levels in pregnancy : results from a cohort study in normal weight caucasian women

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is significantly associated with anti-inflammatory effects and a favorable health outcome. During pregnancy, both inflammatory changes and oxidative balance are essential for a successful outcome, while an unbalanced inflammatory response can be a key mediator of obstetrical syndromes. The aim of this study is to investigate the adherence to MedDiet during pregnancy in the 1st and in the 3rd trimester, and to test whether the adherence was associated with serum adiponectin levels. The study was carried out on 99 normal weight Caucasian women. The adherence to MedDiet was measured by a 13-point Mediterranean scale. The whole sample scored 7.2 \ub1 1.5, with no difference between first and third trimester (p = 0.7). Critical points were: fruit < 3 servings/day in 77% of the sample, beans < 3 times/week in 89%, fish < 2 times/week in 69%, and nut weekly intake < 30 g in 75%. The serum adiponectin levels significantly decreased from the first to the third trimester ( 1216% \ub1 4%, p = 0.008), which confirms a low-grade inflammatory condition associated with advancing gestational age. The women who were in the highest tertile of the adherence to MedDiet had a lower percentage decrease, as compared with those in the lowest tertile (10% \ub1 11% vs. 1234% \ub1 3%, p = 0.01). Even if in pregnancy the adiponectin levels are strongly influenced by the low-grade inflammation, the adherence to MedDiet may modulate this state

Methylglyoxal, Glycated Albumin, PAF, and TNF-&#945;: Possible Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers for Management of Gestational Diabetes

Background: In gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pancreatic \u3b2-cell breakdown can result from a proinflammatory imbalance created by a sustained level of cytokines. In this study, we investigated the role of specific cytokines, such as B-cell activating factor (BAFF), tumor necrosis factor \u3b1 (TNF-\u3b1), and platelet-activating factor (PAF), together with methylglyoxal (MGO) and glycated albumin (GA) in pregnant women affected by GDM. Methods: We enrolled 30 women whose inflammation and metabolic markers were measured at recruitment and after 12 weeks of strict dietetic therapy. We compared these data to the data obtained from 53 randomly selected healthy nonpregnant subjects without diabetes, hyperglycemia, or any condition that can affect glycemic metabolism. Results: In pregnant women affected by GDM, PAF levels increased from 26.3 (17.4-47.5) ng/mL to 40.1 (30.5-80.5) ng/mL (p &lt; 0.001). Their TNF-\u3b1 levels increased from 3.0 (2.8-3.5) pg/mL to 3.4 (3.1-5.8) pg/mL (p &lt; 0.001). The levels of methylglyoxal were significantly higher in the women with GDM (p &lt; 0.001), both at diagnosis and after 12 weeks (0.64 (0.46-0.90) \u3bcg/mL; 0.71 (0.47-0.93) \u3bcg/mL, respectively) compared to general population (0.25 (0.19-0.28) \u3bcg/mL). Levels of glycated albumin were significantly higher in women with GDM (p &lt; 0.001) only after 12 weeks from diagnosis (1.51 (0.88-2.03) nmol/mL) compared to general population (0.95 (0.63-1.4) nmol/mL). Conclusion: These findings support the involvement of new inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in the mechanisms related to GDM complications and prompt deeper exploration into the vicious cycle connecting inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic results

Growth Pattern, Resting Energy Expenditure, and Nutrient Intake of Children with Food Allergies

Growth impairment has been reported in children with food allergies (FA). However, the available data on the dietary intake of FA children are controversial, and no data are available on their resting energy expenditure (REE). The aim of this study was to test whether REE differs between FA and healthy children. In this study, 30 FA children were matched by sex and age, with 31 healthy controls using coarsened exact matching (CEM). Their REE was measured by indirect calorimetry (IC). Energy and macronutrient intake were evaluated using a three-day dietary record. Between-group comparisons were performed by robust median regression using CEM-related weights. The association of REE with allergies was also evaluated using robust median regression models. Anthropometric measurements, REE, and nutrient intake were similar in FA children and matched controls. Taking into account the association of REE with gender and age, a statistically significant but biologically negligible association was detected between median REE and allergy status (+9% in FA children). In conclusion, we did not find any biologically relevant difference in REE, anthropometry, and dietary intake in children with FA compared to healthy children

Nutritional Characterization and Phenolic Profiling of Moringa oleifera Leaves Grown in Chad, Sahrawi Refugee Camps, and Haiti

Moringa oleifera is a plant that grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Its leaves are rich of nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, several differences are reported in the literature. In this article we performed a nutritional characterization and a phenolic profiling of M. oleifera leaves grown in Chad, Sahrawi refugee camps, and Haiti. In addition, we investigated the presence of salicylic and ferulic acids, two phenolic acids with pharmacological activity, whose presence in M. oleifera leaves has been scarcely investigated so far. Several differences were observed among the samples. Nevertheless, the leaves were rich in protein, minerals, and \u3b2-carotene. Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides were the main phenolic compounds identified in the methanolic extracts. Finally, salicylic and ferulic acids were found in a concentration range of 0.14-0.33 and 6.61-9.69 mg/100 g, respectively. In conclusion, we observed some differences in terms of nutrients and phenolic compounds in M. oleifera leaves grown in different countries. Nevertheless, these leaves are a good and economical source of nutrients for tropical and sub-tropical countries. Furthermore, M. oleifera leaves are a source of flavonoids and phenolic acids, among which salicylic and ferulic acids, and therefore they could be used as nutraceutical and functional ingredients

Let&#8217;s Make It the Real Mediterranean Diet Not the Supermarket Standard Feeding Plus a Leaf of Basil

The Mediterranean dietary pattern is the mirror of the history and the traditions of the people of Mediterranean basin, symbol of rural culture such as bread, a variety of whole grains, olive oil, wine, and peppers. Other features enriched the Mediterranean warm climate with discoveries from America such as tomatoes, corn, potatoes, chili, and varieties of beans and nuts that enriched the mix of healthy protein sources of fish, clams, and poultry and more rare bites of red meat and dairy products. In large population-based studies, this eating pattern turned out to be more effective than low-fat diets in inducing important long-term changes in cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers. The richness of folate, vitamin B12, and methyl donors, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the low level of homocysteine and C-reactive protein, affects placental and fetal programming. Globalization of the agro-industrial system and social changes due to economic development have influenced food consumption and are challenging traditional healthy food patterns in Mediterranean countries. Mediterranean societies are rapidly withdrawing from this eating pattern orienting their food choices toward products typical of the Western diet pattern, fast food eateries, and complete loss of physical activity. Therefore the today\u2019s generations have to re-discover through science and medical counseling what has been a set of traditional practices, knowledge, and skills passed on from generation to generation: the Mediterranean diet, cited by the UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage

Effect of Daidzein and Genistein supplementation against oxidative injury in JURKAT T-cells and human primary lymphocytes

Different epidemiological studies on eastern population have suggested an inverse correlation between consumption of soybean products, source of isoflavones such daidzein (D) and genistein (G), and development of chronic diseases. It has been supposed that the mechanism of D and G could be related to their estrogenic or antioxidant activities although the latter has not been extensively investigated. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of daidzein and genistein against oxidative injury, before in vitro, using a leukaemia cell line (Jurkat T- cell), with D and G at concentrations between 2,5 \uf06dM and 20 \uf06dM, after in ex-vivo, using human primary lymphocytes separated from peripheric blood of healthy subjects, with D and G at concentration between 0,01 \uf06dM and 2,5 \uf06dM (concentrations reachable in plasma of consumers of foods containing isoflavones). Both in Jurkat T-cells and in primary lymphocytes after supplementation we induced oxidative stress to DNA by treatment with H2O2 500 \uf06dM and to cellular membrane by treatment with Fe2+ 100 \uf06dM. In Jurkat T cells are evaluated the DNA damage, by Comet assay, the lipid oxidative damage, by MDA quantification in HPLC and the modulation of the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, by a spectrophotometric method. The results obtained demonstrated that: \u2022 D and G (at concentrations between 2,5 and 5 \uf06dM) increased significantly the DNA protection from oxidative damage; \u2022 D (at concentrations of 2,5 and 5 \uf06dM) and G (at concentrations between 2,5 and 10 \uf06dM) affected significantly GPX activity; \u2022 a significant decrease of MDA production was found in cells supplemented with D (at concentration between 2,5 and 20 \uf06dM). These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that isoflavones could increase cellular protection against oxidative damage, however this would seem to be dependent on concentration used. In primary lymphocytes are evaluated DNA and lipid oxidative damages. The results obtained demonstrated that: \u2022 the concentrations between 2,5 and 0,05 \uf06dM of D and between 2,5 and 0,1 \uf06dM of G significantly decreased oxidative damage to DNA; the concentration of 2,5 \uf06dMD and G seemed to offer most protection; \u2022 the preventive effect of D and G against oxidative damage to cellular membrane has been demonstrated only with supplementation of 2,5 \uf06dM. In conclusion these findings are consistent with an antioxidant activity of D and G especially with respect to DNA oxidative damage at concentrations reachable in plasma of consumers of foods containing isoflavones

Bean protein isolate supplementation affects the glycemic response to a mediterranean meal

Affiche publicitaire dans les halls de l’aéroport d’Orly Les grandes multinationales ne sont pas les seuls acteurs de la mondialisation. Celle-ci s’incarne aussi dans des formes moins visibles d’échange, qui prennent place dans des espaces souvent tenus pour marginaux. A l’intersection de plusieurs sciences sociales, ce carnet de recherche rend compte de cette autre géographie de la mondialisation, beaucoup plus discrète. Pour sortir de l’ombre ces espaces, il est indispensable de déplacer n..