40 research outputs found

    Dietary Mg Supplementation Decreases Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Vascular Dysfunction in an Experimental Model of Metabolic Syndrome with Renal Failure

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    Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are commonly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and in these patients Mg concentration is usually decreased. This study evaluated whether a dietary Mg supplementation might attenuate vascular dysfunction through the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation in concurrent MetS and CKD. Methods: A rat model of MetS (Zucker strain) with CKD (5/6 nephrectomy, Nx) was used. Nephrectomized animals were fed a normal 0.1%Mg (MetS+Nx+Mg 0.1%) or a supplemented 0.6%Mg (MetS+Nx+Mg0.6%) diet; Sham-operated rats with MetS receiving 0.1%Mg were used as controls. Results: As compared to controls, the MetS+Nx-Mg0.1% group showed a significant increase in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers (lipid peroxidation and aortic interleukin-1b and -6 expression) and Endothelin-1 levels, a decrease in nitric oxide and a worsening in uremia and MetS associated pathology as hypertension, and abnormal glucose and lipid profile. Moreover, proteomic evaluation revealed changes mainly related to lipid metabolism and CVD markers. By contrast, in the MetS+Nx+Mg0.6% group, these parameters remained largely similar to controls. Conclusion: In concurrent MetS and CKD, dietary Mg supplementation reduced inflammation and oxidative stress and improved vascular function.This research was funded by a Spanish government grant from the Programa Nacional I+D+I 2008–2011 from the MINECO-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI20/0660 and PI21/00654) with co-financing from European Funds (FEDER) and EUTOX and REDinREN from the ISCIII, Consejería de Salud (grants PI-0071-2021) from the Junta de Andalucía and Grant PY20_00773 from Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo from the Junta de Andalucía. J.M.D.-T. hold a Sara Borrell contract by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), co-funded by European Social Fund (European Social Fund-Investment in your future). Y.A. and J.R.M.-C. are senior researchers supported by the Nicolás Monardes Programme, Consejería de Salud-SAS (Junta de Andalucía)

    Food Markets: A Motivation-Based Segmentation of Tourists

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    Food markets are becoming popular as new spaces for recreation, and this research aims to discover the motivations driving the tourists that visit these markets. Factorial analysis, cluster analysis and Student’s t-test were applied on 456 surveys from two food markets in Córdoba (Spain). Three motivational factors were obtained: Gastronomic experience and novelty; hedonism and leisure; and the relationship of the experience with work. Segmenting and analyzing the profile of the tourist may help economic agents develop new strategies for the tourism management of a destination and more accurate marketing and branding strategies that target specific customers with a niche message. The study could help develop products that align with tourists’ motives to increase satisfaction and loyalty

    In vascular smooth muscle cells paricalcitol prevents phosphate-induced Wnt/β-catenin activation

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    The present study investigates the differential effect of two vitamin D receptor agonists, calcitriol and paricalcitol, on human aortic smooth muscle cells calcification in vitro. Human vascular smooth muscle cells were incubated in a high phosphate (HP) medium alone or supplemented with either calcitriol 10−8M (HP + CTR) or paricalcitol 3·10−8 M (HP + PC). HP medium induced calcification, which was associated with the upregulation of mRNA expression of osteogenic factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), Runx2/Cbfa1, Msx2, and osteocalcin. In these cells, activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was evidenced by the translocation of β-catenin into the nucleus and the increase in the expression of direct target genes as cyclin D1, axin 2, and VCAN/versican. Addition of calcitriol to HP medium (HP + CTR) further increased calcification and also enhanced the expression of osteogenic factors together with a significant elevation of nuclear β-catenin levels and the expression of cyclin D1, axin 2, and VCAN. By contrast, the addition of paricalcitol (HP + PC) not only reduced calcification but also downregulated the expression of BMP2 and other osteoblastic phenotype markers as well as the levels of nuclear β-catenin and the expression of its target genes. The role of Wnt/β-catenin on phosphate- and calcitriol-induced calcification was further demonstrated by the inhibition of calcification after addition of Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1), a specific natural antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, the differential effect of calcitriol and paricalcitol on vascular calcification appears to be mediated by a distinct regulation of the BMP and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways

    Early genotoxic response and accumulation induced by waterborne copper, lead, and arsenic in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax

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    Cu, Pb, and As, which are among the most abundant metals in the aquatic environment, are also among the most health-threatened by causing diverse cellular injuries. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the potential early induction of genotoxic effects after waterborne Cu, Pb, and As exposure in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, a commercial widely cultured fish, using the micronucleus (MN) assay in peripheral blood erythrocytes. Fish were exposed under laboratory conditions to nominal solutions ranging 0–10 mg/L for 24 and 96 h. Furthermore, actual metal ion concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) in water and four fish tissues differentially related to environmental exposition and metal accumulation, i.e. the gills, liver, muscle, and brain. Dose-dependent increases of micronuclei (MNi) frequency were observed after these very short exposures; based on measured metal concentrations in water, the genotoxic effect ordered as Cu>As>Pb. Significant genotoxic effect at 0.009 mg/L Cu, 0.57 mg/L Pb, and 0.01 mg/L As was seen. For Cu and Pb these are only slightly higher, but for As it is notably lower than the USEPA criteria of maximum concentration to prevent acute toxicity in aquatic organisms. Furthermore, genotoxicity was differentially related to metal accumulation. MNi frequency correlated positively with the content of Pb in all the organs, with the content of As in liver and gills and only with the content of Cu in the brain. In conclusion, our findings raised environmental concerns because these depicted a genotoxic potential of Cu, Pb, and As after a very short exposure to low but environmentally relevant concentrations, too close to regulatory thresholds. In addition, the MN test in D. labrax could be considered an early biomarker of genotoxicity induced by these metals in fish

    Study of the impact of an online self-assessment questionnaire for the treatment of measurement uncertainties

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    La correcta comprensión del origen de las incertidumbres experimentales, así como su tratamiento matemático, resulta fundamental en la formación de cualquier científico, pues permite determinar la precisión de los resultados experimentales. Por este motivo, estos conocimientos forman parte de las competencias relacionadas con las asignaturas de Física de los primeros cursos universitarios. Se ha desarrollado e implantado en la plataforma Moodle un cuestionario de autoevaluación online como actividad de autoaprendizaje enfocada al tratamiento de errores en las prácticas de laboratorio de las asignaturas de Física de primer curso en diferentes grados científico-técnicos. Concretamente, fueron puestos a disposición del alumnado de los Grados de Química y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos. Para valorar el impacto percibido por el alumnado de estos cuestionarios de autoevaluación se realizaron encuestas previas y posteriores a las actividades, cuyos resultados muestran una alta correlación entre el uso de la actividad y la percepción de su utilidad. De igual forma, se han analizado las estadísticas de uso y las calificaciones proporcionadas por la plataforma Moodle, mostrando que, pese a la positiva percepción del impacto del cuestionario en su aprendizaje, es necesario perfilar la actividad para conseguir un mayor grado de uso.The correct understanding of the origin of the experimental uncertainties and their mathematical treatment is fundamental in the formation of any scientist, since it allows to determine the precision of the experimental results. For this reason, such knowledge is usually part of the competences related to the Physics subjects of the first university courses. An online self-assessment questionnaire was developed and implemented in the Moodle platform as a self-learning activity focused on the treatment of errors in the laboratory practices of the first year Physics subjects in different scientific-technical degrees. Specifically, it was available to students from Chemistry and Food Science and Technology degrees. To assess the impact perceived by students, surveys were conducted before and after the activities. The analysis of the answers given to those surveys, used as indicators of the perceived impact of the activity, show a high correlation between the use of the activity and the perception of its usefulness. Similarly, usage statistics and the ratings provided by the Moodle platform were analyzed, showing that, despite the positive perception of the impact of the questionnaire on their learning, it is necessary to improve the activity to achieve a greater degree of use

    Dietary Mg Supplementation Decreases Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Vascular Dysfunction in an Experimental Model of Metabolic Syndrome with Renal Failure

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    whether a dietary Mg supplementation might attenuate vascular dysfunction through the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation in concurrent MetS and CKD. Methods: A rat model of MetS (Zucker strain) with CKD (5/6 nephrectomy, Nx) was used. Nephrectomized animals were fed a normal 0.1%Mg (MetS+Nx+Mg0.1%) or a supplemented 0.6%Mg (MetS+Nx+Mg0.6%) diet; Sham-operated rats with MetS receiving 0.1%Mg were used as controls. Results: As compared to controls, the MetS+Nx-Mg0.1% group showed a significant increase in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers (lipid peroxidation and aortic interleukin-1b and -6 expression) and Endothelin-1 levels, a decrease in nitric oxide and a worsening in uremia and MetS associated pathology as hypertension, and abnormal glucose and lipid profile. Moreover, proteomic evaluation revealed changes mainly related to lipid metabolism and CVD markers. By contrast, in the MetS+Nx+Mg0.6% group, these parameters remained largely similar to controls. Conclusion: In concurrent MetS and CKD, dietary Mg supplementation reduced inflammation and oxidative stress and improved vascular function

    Use of ICT for autonomous learning in Food Science and Technology and Veterinary degrees in the University of Cordoba pilot plan

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    Con la finalidad de dotar a los estudiantes de los últimos cursos de los grados de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos y Veterinaria de las herramientas necesarias para fomentar el aprendizaje autónomo en instalaciones como la Planta Piloto de la Universidad de Córdoba (PPTA) se programaron diferentes actividades encaminadas a la recopilación de información sobre las instalaciones y equipos, realización de experimentos y desarrollo de trabajo fin de grado, de forma que se integrara en una página web propia, con información suficiente para que los estudiantes puedan formarse autónomamente mediante la consulta y el manejo de documentación generada a partir del uso de diferentes equipos o de las diferentes líneas de procesado, integrando materiales preparados a partir de la experiencia propia en la misma instalación tales como manuales, videos, fotografía de maquinaria y protocolos de experimentos.With the purpose of equipping the students of the last courses of Food Science and Technology and Veterinary degrees with the necessary tools to promote autonomous learning in facilities such as the Pilot Plant of the University of Córdoba, different activities were planned aimed at the collection of information on facilities and equipment, conducting experiments and developing end-of-degree work, so that it can be integrated into a web page of its own, with sufficient information so that students can be formed autonomously through consultation and documentation management generated from the use of different equipment or different processing lines, integrating materials prepared from their own experience in the same installation such as manuals, videos, machinery photography and experimental protocols

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    TGF-b Prevents Phosphate-Induced Osteogenesis through Inhibition of BMP and Wnt/b-Catenin Pathways

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    Background: Transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) is a key cytokine during differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). High phosphate induces a phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) into osteogenic-like cells. This study was aimed to evaluate signaling pathways involved during VSMC differentiation of MSC in presence or not of high phosphate. Results: Our results showed that TGF-b induced nuclear translocation of Smad3 as well as the expression of vascular smooth muscle markers, such as smooth muscle alpha actin, SM22a, myocardin, and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain. The addition of high phosphate to MSC promoted nuclear translocation of Smad1/5/8 and the activation of canonical Wnt/bcatenin in addition to an increase in BMP-2 expression, calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity. The administration of TGF-b to MSC treated with high phosphate abolished all these effects by inhibiting canonical Wnt, BMP and TGF-b pathways. A similar outcome was observed in high phosphate-treated cells after the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling with Dkk-1. Conversely, addition of both Wnt/b-catenin activators CHIR98014 and lithium chloride enhanced the effect of high phosphate on BMP-2, calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity. Conclusions: Full VSMC differentiation induced by TGF-b may not be achieved when extracellular phosphate levels are high. Moreover, TGF-b prevents high phosphate-induced osteogenesis by decreasing the nuclear translocation of Smad 1/5/8 and avoiding the activation of Wnt/b-catenin pathway.Sources of Funding: This study has been carried out with the funding of ‘‘Proyecto de Excelencia P09-CTS-5205’’ from Consejerı ́a de Economı ́a, Cienciay Empresa from Junta de Andalucı ́a, FIS PI11/02055 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III and PI-0127 from Consejerı ́a de Salud, Junta de Andalucia. The funders hadno role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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