A Systematic Review on Natural Antioxidant Properties of Resveratrol

Polyphenols, including anthocyanins, flavonoids and stilbenes, which constitute one of the most abundant and ubiquitous groups of plant metabolites, are an integral part of the human diet. Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a naturally occurring polyphenol produced by some plants as a self-defence agent, has an antifungal activity. Resveratrol has been found in some plants (such as grapevine, pine and peanuts) and is considered to have beneficial effects also on human health. The number of studies on resveratrol greatly increased in PubMed database since 1997, after the anticancer effect of this molecule was first reported. The interest in resveratrol in grape was originally sparked by epidemiological studies indicating an inverse relationship between long-standing moderate consumption of red wine and the risk of coronary heart disease; this effect has been ascribed to resveratrol, which possesses diverse biochemical and physiological properties, including antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory proprieties, and provides a wide range of health benefits ranging from chemoprevention to cardioprotection. Recently, resveratrol has been described as an anti-aging compound. The consumption of resveratrol (red wine) together with a Mediterranean diet or a fast-food meal ("McDonald'sMeal") had a positive impact on oxidized (ox-) LDL and on the expression of oxidative and inflammatory genes. Therefore, this review summarized the most important scientific data about healing and preventive potential of resveratrol, acting as cardioprotective, neuroprotective, chemopreventive and antioxidant agent

Development and cross-validation of predictive equation for estimating total body lean in children

Aim. To develop and cross-validate a predictive equation for estimating lean body mass (LBM) in children, based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometric parameters, and to compare our equation with other predictive methods. Methods. We evaluated body composition of 155 children (age 5-14 years) by BIA and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Children were divided in two groups: developing set and cross-validation set. Statistical analysis as multiple regression and Bland-Altman methods were performed. Results. From developing set (105 children) the following predictive LBM (kg) equation was created: (R2=0.96).  From the cross-validated set (35 children), our equation was seen to agree with LBM (kg) by DXA. On the contrary, LBM predicted by Schaefer’s equation and BIA did not agree with the criterion measure. Conclusions. This cross-validated equation can be useful in epidemiological studies and also in clinical practice, permitting a better definition and follow up of children’s body composition

Indole and 2,4-Thiazolidinedione conjugates as potential anticancer modulators

Background Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), also called glitazones, are five-membered carbon ring molecules commonly used for the management of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recently, many prospective studies have also documented the impact of these compounds as anti-proliferative agents, though several negative side effects such as hepatotoxicity, water retention and cardiac issues have been reported. In this work, we synthesized twenty-six new TZD analogues where the thiazolidinone moiety is directly connected to an N-heterocyclic ring in order to lower their toxic effects. Methods By adopting a widely applicable synthetic method, twenty-six TZD derivatives were synthesized and tested for their antiproliferative activity in MTT and Wound healing assays with PC3 (prostate cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cells. Results Three compounds, out of twenty-six, significantly decreased cellular viability and migration, and these effects were even more pronounced when compared with rosiglitazone, a well-known member of the TZD class of antidiabetic agents. As revealed by Western blot analysis, part of this antiproliferative effect was supported by apoptosis studies evaluating BCL-xL and C-PARP protein expression. Conclusion Our data highlight the promising potential of these TZD derivatives as anti-proliferative agents for the treatment of prostate and breast cancer

Protein and vitamin B6 intake are associated with liver steatosis assessed by transient elastography, especially in obese individuals

Background/Aims Although the detrimental effects of several dietary components on the promotion of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are well known, no studies have assessed the role of dietary vitamin B6. Moreover, studies on the associations between dietary components or body composition indices and liver steatosis assessed by transient elastography are rare. Our aim was to identify the nutritional factors and anthropometric parameters associated with liver steatosis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 168 individuals (35% obese) who underwent a liver steatosis assessment by Controlled Attenuation Parameter measurement and nutritional assessment. Results Tertiles of vitamin B6 intake were positively associated with hepatic steatosis (B=1.89, P=0.026, confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.80) as well as with triglycerides, glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and body mass index . In obese individuals, after multivariable analysis, the Controlled Attenuation Parameter score was still associated with triglycerides, ALT, and total protein intake (B=0.56, P=0.01, CI 0.10-1.02). Participants in tertile I (low intake) had a lower Controlled Attenuation Parameter than those in tertile III (P=0.01). Conclusions We found a positive association between hepatic steatosis or Controlled Attenuation Parameter score and vitamin B6/total protein intake, probably related to the high intake of meat. Vitamin B6 might have a pathogenic role related to the increase of hepatic steatosis

N-acetylcysteine prevents HIV gp 120-related damage of human cultured astrocytes: correlation with glutamine synthase dysfunction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HIV envelope gp 120 glycoprotein is released during active HIV infection of brain macrophages thereby generating inflammation and oxidative stress which contribute to the development of the AIDS-Dementia Complex (ADC). Gp120 has also been found capable to generate excitotoxic effect on brain tissue via enhancement of glutamatergic neurotransmission, leading to neuronal and astroglial damage, though the mechanism is still to be better understood.</p> <p>Here we investigated on the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), on gp120-induced damage in human cultured astroglial cells and the possible contribution of gp120-related reacting oxygen species (ROS) in the imbalanced activity of glutamine synthase (GS), the enzyme that metabolizes glutamate into glutamine within astroglial cells playing a neuroprotective role in brain disorders.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Incubation of Lipari human cultured astroglial cells with gp 120 (0.1–10 nM) produced a significant reduction of astroglial cell viability and apoptosis as evaluated by TUNEL reaction and flow cytometric analysis (FACS). This effect was accompanied by lipid peroxidation as detected by means of malondialdehyde assay (MDA). In addition, gp 120 reduced both glutamine concentration in astroglial cell supernatants and GS expression as detected by immunocytochemistry and western blotting analysis. Pre-treatment of cells with NAC (0.5–5 mM), dose-dependently antagonised astroglial apoptotic cell death induced by gp 120, an effect accompanied by significant attenuation of MDA accumulation. Furthermore, both effects were closely associated with a significant recovery of glutamine levels in cell supernatants and by GS expression, thus suggesting that overproduction of free radicals might contribute in gp 120-related dysfunction of GS in astroglial cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, the present experiments demonstrate that gp 120 is toxic to astroglial cells, an effect accompanied by lipid peroxidation and by altered glutamine release. All the effects of gp120 on astroglial cells were counteracted by NAC thus suggesting a novel and potentially useful approach in the treatment of glutammatergic disorders found in HAD patients.</p

Antioxidant-Enriched Diet on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Gene Expression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is associated with beneficial effects against chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs). In particular, the content of micronutrients leads to an improvement of the oxidative and inflammatory profiles. A randomized, parallel, controlled study, on 24 subjects, was conducted to evaluate if 2-week supplementation with a mixed apple and bergamot juice (MAB juice), had a positive impact on the body composition, the biochemical profile, and oxidative and inflammatory gene expression (Superoxide dismutase (SOD1), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ), catalase (CAT), chemokine C-C motif ligand 5 (CCL5), Nuclear Factor Kappa B Subunit 1 (NFKB1), Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF)), respect to a MedDiet. Body composition evaluation analysis showed a gain in lean mass (p p p ≤ 0.05), PPARγ (p p ≤ 0.05), and VDR (p ≤ 0.05) expressions when comparing MedDiet and MedDiet + MAB juice groups. These data based on the nutrigenomics approach demonstrated that supplementing 2 weeks of MAB juice to the MedDiet could contribute to a reduction in the risk of CNCDs

Evidences of a New Psychobiotic Formulation on Body Composition and Anxiety

Background. Gut microbiota is implied in obesity, because of its ability to harvest energy from diet, and in the regulation of behavior. Given the link between gut microbiota, body composition, obesity, and anxiety, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a new psychobiotic formulation. Methods. Eligible patients were randomly divided into three groups: Psychobiotics oral suspension group (POSG); dietary treatment group (DTG); combined treatment group (CTG). All subjects underwent body composition and psychological profile evaluation. Results. Significant changes in body composition parameters in each group were relieved after all treatments. Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) highlighted a significant reduction of the total score for all study population after treatments in POSG (p=0.01) and CTG (p=0.04). A reduction of HAM-A total score in anxious subjects in POSG or CTG and a significant reduction of positive subjects for HAM-A in POSG (p=0.03) and in CDG (p=0.01) were shown. Discussion. Three-week intake of selected POS represents a good approach to solve problems related to obesity and behavior disorders. However, new clinical trials need to be performed on a larger population and for a longer period of treatment before definitive conclusions can be made. This trial is registered with NCT01890070