Green production of biofuels from fish discards using supercritical Carbon Dioxide as the extraction solvent

Fishing discards and wastes have great potential as renewable energy sources of biofuel, biogas and bioactive molecules for a variety of applications. Fish oils have features resembling those of petroleum fuels, being a promising and eco-friendly alternative to fossil derivatives. Here we report a preliminary investigation of a green method of biofuel production from fishing discards, obtained by two trawl hauls in the South-Western Adriatic Sea. The method is based on the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) as a green solvent for lipid oils extraction and subsequent conversion into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) suitable as biodiesel. Experiments were carried out to optimize yields of lipid extracted oil by tuning SC-CO2 pressure, flow rates and temperature, with the best result of 10% (w/w) of fish oil extract recorded at 30 MPa, 50°C and 1 l/min SC-CO2 flow rat

Role of the Entero-Insular Axis in the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Reactive Hypoglycemia: A Pilot Study

Idiopathic reactive hypoglycemia (IRH) is characterized by recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia occurring within 4 hours after meals. The underlying mechanisms remain obscure

Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass on Postprandial Lipid Profile in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients: a 2-Year Follow-up

Bariatric surgery (BS) is known to favorably impact fasting lipid profile. Fasting and postprandial lipids were evaluated before and 2 years after BS in obese type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients. Methods A prospective study was conducted in 19 obese T2DM patients: ten undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and nine undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Before and 2 years after BS, clinical parameters and the response of lipid and incretin hormones to a mixed meal (MM) were assessed. Results The two groups had similar characteristics at baseline.After BS, weight loss was similar in the two groups (p≤0.01). Fasting glucose, insulin, and triglycerides decreased while HDL cholesterol increased in a similar way (p<0.05); in contrast, fasting LDL cholesterol decreased only after RYGB (p<0.05). Post-meal glucose concentrations decreased while early insulin response significantly improved after both procedures (p<0.001 for both). Postprandial triglycerides decreased after both procedures (p<0.05) while postprandial LDL cholesterol decreased only after RYGB (p<0.05). Meal-GLP-1 increased postoperatively in both groups although to a greater extent after RYGB (p<0.001 vs. SG). GIP decreased after both procedures, especially after RYGB (p=0.003). At multivariate analysis, GLP-1 peak was the best predictor of LDL reduction (β=−0.552, p=0.039) while the improvement of HOMA-IR (β=0.574, p=0.014) and weight loss (β=0.418, p=0.036) predicted triglycerides reduction. Conclusions Both surgical procedures markedly reduce fasting and postprandial triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol decreases only after RYGB through a mechanism likely mediated by the restoration of GLP-1

Comparative Effects of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy on Glucose Homeostasis and Incretin Hormones in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A One-Year Prospective Study

The aim of the work was to compare the hormonal and the metabolic mechanisms involved in weight loss and remission of T2DM one year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) in morbidly obese type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients. Insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and the gastrointestinal (GI)hormone response to a mixed meal test (MMT) were evaluated before and one year after BS (14 RYGB and 19 VSG). RYGB and VSG groups had similar characteristics at baseline. Weight loss at one year was similar in the 2 groups (ΔBMI %: − 32 ± 10 and − 30 ± 7 %, p = 0.546). Insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion improved similarly after either procedures with a similar rate in T2DM remission (86 % in RYGB and 76 % in VSG). Meal-stimulated GLP-1 levels increased after both procedures reaching significantly higher levels after RYGB (p = 0.0001). GIP response to MMT decreased to a similar extent after the 2 interventions (p = 0.977). Both fasting and postmeal ghrelin concentrations were markedly suppressed after VSG and significantly lower than RYGB (p = 0.013 to p = 0.035). The improvement of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function was significantly associated with weight loss (p = 0.014 to p = 0.035), while no relation was found with the changes in GI hormones. In conclusion, in morbidly obese T2DM patients, RYGB and VSG result in similar improvements of the glucose status in the face of different GI hormonal pattern. Weight loss is the key determinant of diabetes remission one year after surgery

Clinical efficacy of bariatric surgery versus liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity: a 12-month retrospective evaluation

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of bariatric surgery vs medical therapy with liraglutide on weight loss, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk profile in patients with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity