Beneficial effects of essential oils from the mediterranean diet on gut microbiota and their metabolites in ischemic heart disease and type-2 diabetes mellitus

[Abstract] Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain major health problems worldwide and commonly coexist in individuals. Gut microbial metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Previous studies have reported dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of these patients and the prebiotic effects of some components of the Mediterranean diet. Essential oil emulsions of savory (Satureja hortensis), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were assessed as nutraceuticals and prebiotics in IHD and T2DM. Humanized mice harboring gut microbiota derived from that of patients with IHD and T2DM were supplemented with L-carnitine and orally treated with essential oil emulsions for 40 days. We assessed the effects on gut microbiota composition and abundance, microbial metabolites and plasma markers of cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oxidative stress. Our results showed that essential oil emulsions in mice supplemented with L-carnitine have prebiotic effects on beneficial commensal bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus genus. There was a decrease in plasma TMAO and an increase in fecal SCFAs levels in mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils. Thrombomodulin levels were increased in mice treated with savory and parsley essential oils. While mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils showed a decrease in plasma cytokines (INFɣ, TNFα, IL-12p70 and IL-22); savory essential oil was associated with increased levels of chemokines (CXCL1, CCL2 and CCL11). Finally, there was a decrease in protein carbonyls and pentosidine according to the essential oil emulsion. These results suggest that changes in the gut microbiota induced by essential oils of parsley, savory and rosemary as prebiotics could differentially regulate cardiovascular and metabolic factors, which highlights the potential of these nutraceuticals for reducing IHD risk in patients affected by T2DM.Junta de Andalucía; PI-0170-2018Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PT20/00101Junta de Andalucía; RH-0078-2021Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CPII19/00022Instituto de Salud Carlos III; FI20/0022

Expression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins in epicardial adipose tissue in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus: preliminary study

[Abstract] Objectives: Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) genes are crucial in lipid biosynthesis and cardiovascular homeostasis. Their expression in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and their influence in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus remain to be determined. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of SREBP genes in EAT in patients with CAD according to diabetes status and its association with clinical and biochemical data. Methods: SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 mRNA expression levels were measured in EAT from 49 patients with CAD (26 with diabetes) and 23 controls without CAD or diabetes. Results: Both SREBPs mRNA expression were significantly higher in patients with CAD and diabetes (p<0.001) and were identified as independent cardiovascular risk factor for coronary artery disease in patients with type-2 diabetes (SREBP-1: OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.1-2.5, p=0.02; SREBP-2: OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.2-3, p=0.02) and were independently associated with the presence of multivessel CAD, left main and anterior descending artery stenosis, and higher total and LDL cholesterol levels, and lower HDL cholesterol levels, in patients with CAD and diabetes. Conclusions: SREBP genes are expressed in EAT and were higher in CAD patients with diabetes than those patients without CAD or diabetes. SREBP expression was associated as cardiovascular risk factor for the severity of CAD and the poor lipid control. In this preliminary study we suggest the importance of EAT in the lipid metabolism and cardiovascular homeostasis for coronary atherosclerosis of patients with diabetes and highlight a future novel therapeutic target.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI13/02542Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI11/01661Red de Investigación Cardiovascular; RD12/0042/003

Efecto repelente y tiempo de protección de aceites esenciales frente al estadio adulto de Aedes aegypti

The aim of this was to evaluate the repellent effect and protection time of essential oils against the adult Aedes aegypti mosquito. A completely randomized design was used with a factorial arrangement that included 10 essential oils (Minthostachys mollis, Schinus molle, Ruta graveolens, Piper aduncun, Myrica pubescens, Lippia alba, Mentha piperita, Lantana glutinosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globulus and the DEET control. 10%) and four concentrations of the oils (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/ml). Each experimental group consisted of 50 adult female A. aegypti mosquitoes raised in the laboratory and the repellent effect and protection time were evaluated using a sedated animal bait (Rattus rattus) with applications of 0.1 ml of the oils on the legs, tail and face. The rats and mosquitoes were found in two communicating cages of 25x25x40 cm. The oils with the greatest repellent effect and protection time, respectively, were C. citratus (97.4%; 165 minutes), E. globulus (95.8%; 165 minutes), L. glutinosa (93.8%; 180 minutes) and M. piperite (93.5%; 180 minutes) in its highest concentration (1000 mg/l); with differences between oils and between concentrations (p&lt;0.001). Likewise, DEET 10% obtained a repellency of 95.3% and a protection time of 173 minutes. It is concluded that the essential oils of C. citratus, E. globulus, L. glutinosa and M. piperita can be considered as having natural repellent potential for A. aegypti.El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto repelente y tiempo de protección de aceites esenciales frente al mosquito adulto de Aedes aegypti. Se trabajó con un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial que incluyó 10 aceites esenciales (Minthostachys mollis, Schinus molle, Ruta graveolens, Piper aduncun, Myrica pubescens, Lippia alba, Mentha piperita, Lantana glutinosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globulus y el control DEET 10%) y cuatro concentraciones de los aceites (125, 250, 500 y 1000 mg/ml). Cada grupo experimental se constituyó por 50 mosquitos hembra adultos de A. aegypti criados en laboratorio y el efecto repelente y tiempo de protección se evaluaron usando un cebo animal sedado (Rattus rattus) con aplicaciones de 0.1 ml de los aceites en patas, cola y cara. Las ratas y los mosquitos se encontraron en dos jaulas comunicadas de 25x25x40 cm. Los aceites con mayor efecto repelente y tiempo de protección, respectivamente, fueron: C. citratus (97.4%; 165 minutos), E. globulus (95.8%; 165 minutos), L. glutinosa (93.8%; 180 minutos) y M. piperita (93.5%; 180 minutos) en su concentración mayor concentración (1000 mg/l); con diferencias entre aceites y entre concentraciones (p&lt;0.001). Asimismo, el DEET 10% obtuvo una repelencia de 95.3 % y tiempo de protección de 173 minutos. Se concluye que los aceites esenciales de C. citratus, E. globulus, L. glutinosa y M. piperita pueden considerarse con potencial repelente natural para A. aegypti

Pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma. Postoperative outcome after surgical treatment in a Spanish multicenter study (PANMEKID)

Background: Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) occasionally spreads to the pancreas. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the short and long-term results of a multicenter series in order to determine the effect of surgical treatment on the prognosis of these patients. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery for RCC pancreatic metastases, from January 2010 to May 2020. Variables related to the primary tumor, demographics, clinical characteristics of metastasis, location in the pancreas, type of pancreatic resection performed and data on short and long-term evolution after pancreatic resection were collected. Results: The study included 116 patients. The mean time between nephrectomy and pancreatic metastases' resection was 87.35 months (ICR: 1.51-332.55). Distal pancreatectomy was the most performed technique employed (50 %). Postoperative morbidity was observed in 60.9 % of cases (Clavien-Dindo greater than IIIa in 14 %). The median follow-up time was 43 months (13-78). Overall survival (OS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 96 %, 88 %, and 83 %, respectively. The disease-free survival (DFS) rate at 1, 3, and 5 years was 73 %, 49 %, and 35 %, respectively. Significant prognostic factors of relapse were a disease free interval of less than 10 years (2.05 [1.13-3.72], p 0.02) and a history of previous extrapancreatic metastasis (2.44 [1.22-4.86], p 0.01). Conclusions: Pancreatic resection if metastatic RCC is found in the pancreas is warranted to achieve higher overall survival and disease-free survival, even if extrapancreatic metastases were previously removed. The existence of intrapancreatic multifocal compromise does not always warrant the performance of a total pancreatectomy in order to improve survival. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Repeated pancreatic resection for pancreatic metastases from renal cell Carcinoma: A Spanish multicenter study (PANMEKID)

Background and objectives: Recurrent isolated pancreatic metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) after pancreatic resection is rare. The purpose of our study is to describe a series of cases of relapse of pancreatic metastasis from renal cancer in the pancreatic remnant and its surgical treatment with a repeated pancreatic resection, and to analyse the results of both overall and disease -free survival. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing pancreatic resection for RCC pancreatic metastases, from January 2010 to May 2020. Patients were grouped into two groups depending on whether they received a single pancreatic resection (SPS) or iterative pancreatic resection. Data on short and long-term outcome after pancreatic resection were collected. Results: The study included 131 pancreatic resections performed in 116 patients. Thus, iterative pancreatic surgery (IPS) was performed in 15 patients. The mean length of time between the first pancreatic surgery and the second was 48.9 months (95 % CI: 22.2-56.9). There were no differences in the rate of postoperative complications. The DFS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 86 %, 78 % and 78 % vs 75 %, 50 % and 37 % in the IPS and SPS group respectively (p = 0.179). OS rates at 1, 3, 5 and 7 years were 100 %, 100 %, 100 % and 75 % in the IPS group vs 95 %, 85 %, 80 % and 68 % in the SPS group (p = 0.895). Conclusion: Repeated pancreatic resection in case of relapse of pancreatic metastasis of RCC in the pancreatic remnant is justified, since it achieves OS results similar to those obtained after the first resection

Bladder cancer index: cross-cultural adaptation into Spanish and psychometric evaluation

BACKGROUND: The Bladder Cancer Index (BCI) is so far the only instrument applicable across all bladder cancer patients, independent of tumor infiltration or treatment applied. We developed a Spanish version of the BCI, and assessed its acceptability and metric properties. METHODS: For the adaptation into Spanish we used the forward and back-translation method, expert panels, and cognitive debriefing patient interviews. For the assessment of metric properties we used data from 197 bladder cancer patients from a multi-center prospective study. The Spanish BCI and the SF-36 Health Survey were self-administered before and 12 months after treatment. Reliability was estimated by Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was assessed through the multi-trait multi-method matrix. The magnitude of change was quantified by effect sizes to assess responsiveness. RESULTS: Reliability coefficients ranged 0.75-0.97. The validity analysis confirmed moderate associations between the BCI function and bother subscales for urinary (r = 0.61) and bowel (r = 0.53) domains; conceptual independence among all BCI domains (r ≤ 0.3); and low correlation coefficients with the SF-36 scores, ranging 0.14-0.48. Among patients reporting global improvement at follow-up, pre-post treatment changes were statistically significant for the urinary domain and urinary bother subscale, with effect sizes of 0.38 and 0.53. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish BCI is well accepted, reliable, valid, responsive, and similar in performance compared to the original instrument. These findings support its use, both in Spanish and international studies, as a valuable and comprehensive tool for assessing quality of life across a wide range of bladder cancer patients

Evaluation of the PEΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 Chimeric Protein of Entamoeba histolytica-Lectin as a Vaccine Candidate against Amebic Liver Abscess

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite that causes dysentery and amebic liver abscess. E. histolytica has the capability to invade host tissue by union of virulence factor Gal/GalNAc lectin; this molecule induces an adherence-inhibitory antibody response as well as to protect against amebic liver abscess (ALA). The present work showed the effect of the immunization with PEΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 recombinant protein. In vitro, this candidate vaccine inhibited adherence of E. histolytica trophozoites to HepG2 cell monolayer, avoiding the cytolysis, and in a hamster model, we observed a vaccine-induced protection against the damage to tissue liver and the inhibition of uncontrolled inflammation. PEΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB in all immunized groups at 4- and 7-day postinfection. The levels of IL-10, FOXP3, and IFN-γ were elevated at 7 days. The immunohistochemistry assay confirmed this result, revealing an elevated quantity of +IFN-γ cells in the liver tissue. ALA formation in hamsters immunized was minimal, and few trophozoites were identified. Hence, immunization with PEΔIII-LC3-KDEL3 herein prevented invasive amebiasis, avoided an acute proinflammatory response, and activated a protective response within a short time. Finally, this recombinant protein induced an increase of serum IgG

Ciencia, desarrollo y democracia

El II Coloquio Internacional sobre Ciencia, Desarrollo y Democracia tuvo lugar como parte de las actividades contempladas del proyecto de investigación que lleva este mismo nombre y que está siendo financiado por el Fondo Sectorial de Investigación para la Educación SEP-CONACYT. El evento tuvo por objeto la discusión de los avances recientes del proyecto y la evaluación del progreso de la investigación a la entrada de la tercera fase del mismo. Los diferentes reportes buscaban respuestas a preguntas presentes en la formulación original del proyecto pero también a inquietudes que aparecieron en el curso del desarrollo del mismo. Con el objeto de enriquecer los debates, se contó con la presencia de comentaristas con reconocimiento internacional en algunas de las temáticas involucradas, lo cual contribuyó a detectar insuficiencias y a crear bases para un nuevo impulso a la producción de ideas en torno a los temas involucrados

Multi-Omics Approach Reveals Prebiotic and Potential Antioxidant Effects of Essential Oils from the Mediterranean Diet on Cardiometabolic Disorder Using Humanized Gnotobiotic Mice

Essential oils sourced from herbs commonly used in the Mediterranean diet have demonstrated advantageous attributes as nutraceuticals and prebiotics within a model of severe cardiometabolic disorder. The primary objective of this study was to assess the influences exerted by essential oils derived from thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) via a comprehensive multi-omics approach within a gnotobiotic murine model featuring colonic microbiota acquired from patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our findings demonstrated prebiotic and potential antioxidant effects elicited by these essential oils. We observed a substantial increase in the relative abundance of the Lactobacillus genus in the gut microbiota, accompanied by higher levels of short-chain fatty acids and a reduction in trimethylamine N-oxide levels and protein oxidation in the plasma. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis of the cardiac tissue proteome unveiled an over-representation of pathways related to mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and cardiac contraction. These findings provide compelling evidence of the prebiotic and antioxidant actions of thyme- and oregano-derived essential oils, which extend to cardiac function. These results encourage further investigation into the promising utility of essential oils derived from herbs commonly used in the Mediterranean diet as potential nutraceutical interventions for mitigating chronic diseases linked to CAD and T2DM

Prognostic stratification of older patients with multivessel coronary artery disease treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty based on clinical and biochemical measures: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

The incidence of acute coronary syndrome is rising in step with the growth of life expectancy. An increase in the age of patients with coronary artery disease has been related to in-hospital mortality, which has seen an upsurge over a short period of time. However, there is no consensus about the percutaneous coronary angioplasty strategy to follow for older patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD). Complete revascularisation (CR) or incomplete revascularisation (ICR) strategy depends on prognosis but this has not yet been accurately described because of geriatric conditions and comorbidities. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes of clinical and biochemical parameters in older patients with MVCAD undergoing revascularisation and to establish a prognostic stratification model for CR and ICR. This observational, longitudinal, prospective study will include 150 patients with MVCAD and subsequent revascularisation who attend the Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria (Málaga, Spain). Because of the dropout rates, 180 patients will be recruited at the beginning. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and angiographic parameters, and biochemical variables, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory, stress oxidative biomarkers, will be collected in the admission for coronary revascularisation and three follow-ups at 6, 12 and 18 months. Statistical analyses will be conducted with these data using CR and ICR as the primary exposure variable. Relevant explanatory variables will be selected from a predictive model for their inclusion in a prognostic stratification model. The primary outcome measures will be major adverse cardiovascular events. Protocols and patient information have been approved by the regional research ethics committee (CEIm Provincial de Málaga-PEIBA (PI0131/2020). The results will be disseminated in international peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences in Cardiology and Gerontology, and sent to participants, medical and health service managers, clinicians and other researchers