Dietary Supplements for Intestinal Inflammation

Intestinal inflammation leads to various chronic diseases, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD mainly affects the large intestine, but it can also affect the gastrointestinal tract as a whole. Its major symptoms are pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, and it is usually associated with deficiencies of both macro- and micronutrients. Unluckily, after some time the body develops resistance against the already available drugs: thus, many patients fail to maintain remission, which is achieved in less than 50% of cases. Diet is a major determinant of gut inflammation. An unbalanced diet can affect the gut microbiota and cause dysbiosis, which is related to a dysregulated host immune response. The Mediterranean Diet its renowned for its anti-inflammatory effects and for preventing dysbiosis. In order to improve management and treatment of intestinal inflammatory diseases, it should become common practice to integrate the patient’s diet with dietary supplements with anti-inflammatory effects (probiotics, butyrate, phosphatidylcholine, lactoferrin, palmitoylethanolamide, silymarin, and omega 3), which maintain the stability of the intestinal microbial cohort and strengthen the mucosal barrier, thus preventing or soothing IBD symptoms. Dietary supplements may help fight the high costs, the adverse side effects, and the recurrent relapses typical of drug use

From Achille Bertelli onward: more than 100 years of research and production of dietary supplements based on natural molecules typical of the Mediterranean diet

Achille Bertelli was an aeronautics pioneer and an innovative entrepreneur of the pharmaceutical industry. After graduating in Chemistry in Italy, he moved to the United States of America where he opened a chemical-pharmaceutical laboratory in San Francisco in 1879, and later moved back to Italy where he opened a chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Milan (1886). The “A. Bertelli” pharmaceutical company developed the famous cough pills “Catramina Bertelli”, as well as new cosmetics and perfumes. Apart from his chemical experience, Achille Bertelli was a passionate aeronautics expert. He wrote many essays on this topic and devoted himself to aeronautical experiments by designing theapparatus “Autovol”, “Aerocurvo”, “Autovol no. 2”, “Autovolno. 3", which are considered the prototypes of the helicopter. Achille Bertelli was also the president of the Electric Company of Salò, which installed an electrical system that served the lighting in many cities on Lake Garda (Italy). Finally, Achille Bertelli also participated in the Italian revival after the First World War, especially by supporting the agricultural revival. Throughout his life, Achille Bertelli teamed with several famous people from all over Italy, such as Gabriele D’Annunzio, Cesare Lombroso and Cordero di Montezemolo. Today, Achille Bertelli’s interest for natural molecules, his ideas, and his entrepreneurial approach are carried forward by his descendant, Matteo Bertelli

Dietary supplements for polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent female endocrine reproductive disorders, affecting between 4 to 18% of the women in their reproductive age. It is generally characterized by several clinical aspects, among which anovulation, inflammation and infertility. Moreover, PCOS has several health implications, including increased metabolic, reproductive, and psychological risks. Previously, metformin and to some extent thiazolidinediones were considered as drug of choice for PCOS management, but they had several side-effects, and controversial results were obtained about their efficiency, especially in non-insulin-resistant non-obese patients. Thus, alternative treatment options are now being studied for PCOS, including different natural molecules and complementary medicines (CM) for the improvement of their health, wellbeing and fertility. Recently, treatment of PCOS patients with different natural molecules, coming from nutritional supplements and herbal medicines, has attained satisfactory results with the absence of any side effects. In this review, four natural molecules, curcumin, vitamin D, inositol and CoQ10 are discussed for their therapeutic ability. These molecules proved to decrease insulin sensitivity and inflammation, to improve the restoration of ovarian function, and they could restore hormonal balance and regulate the menstrual cycle, all of which are the main features and major concerns for women suffering from PCOS

Ion mobility mass spectrometry with surface activated chemical ionisation as a method for studying the domain of water clusters

Water holds great relevance in various biological and biochemical systems. Water behaves as an excellent solvent, a reactant, a product and a catalyst of the reaction. The organisation of the water molecules, synergised by hydrogen bonds, builds up the structure of the water clusters. These water clusters significantly influence biological functions. To study the domain of water clusters using Ion mobility mass spectrometry with surface activated chemical ionisation. The experimental analysis was aimed to determine the water behaviour in terms of cluster formation before and after the application of a physical effect, namely low-frequency irradiation. A sanist platform-based spectrometer, manufactured by ISB srl with SACI version for protein analysis, was used as the equipment. Furthermore, for samples, we used pure de-ionised water, a part of which was used virgin, and another part was irradiated. Ion-mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) procedure was adopted as the experimental method. An electromagnetic frequency fields generator was used to subject the test samples to electromagnetic radiations between 7 Hz to 80 Hz. The presence of neutral water species was confirmed in the water samples. For the same m/z, water ion clusters in the untreated water were found to have a much higher intensity than the electromagnetically treated water. The presence of a water cluster near the (M+H)+ in electromagnetically treated dilute arginine solution was also confirmed. It is possible to detect water ion clusters by using Ion mobility mass spectrometry and SACI with low surface potential (47 V). The water cluster formation and its characteristics were found to be different in the treated and non-treated water. The electromagnetic radiations of low frequency seem to affect the hydrogen bonds of the water molecules

Foods of the Mediterranean diet: citrus, cucumber and grape

Fruit and vegetables are excellent sources of health-promoting bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals. Regular consumption of fruit and vegetables helps prevent the onset and progression of many non-communicable diseases. The Mediterranean diet envisages consumption of healthy vegetables and fruit on a daily basis for maximum health benefits. Traditional use envisages vegetable-based and fruit-based diets, and many studies scientifically proved the beneficial effects of Mediterranean vegetables and fruits. Rich in bioactive phytochemicals, citrus, cucumbers and grapes have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, anti-ageing and anti-cancer properties. Studies indicate that intake of citrus, cucumbers and grapes reduces hypertension, hyperlipidemia, skin problems and infections and improves the health of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. These beneficial effects are mediated by several bioactive molecules present in Mediterranean diet vegetables and fruits, such as citrus, cucumbers and grapes. Indeed, they contains flavones, isoflavones, tannins, polyphenols and many beneficial natural molecules. This review focuses on the bioactive ingredients in citrus fruit, cucumbers and grapes, all components of the Mediterranean diet, and their health effects. A deep understanding of Mediterranean diet’s components, as well as clinical trials to test natural molecules beneficial effects, will permit to further explore the therapeutic potential of the Mediterranean diet in several pathological conditions

Polyphenols and Lactobacillus reuteri in oral health

Oral health is one of the necessary preludes to the overall quality of life. Several medical procedures and therapies are available to treat oral diseases in general and periodontal diseases in particular, yet caries, periodontitis, oral cancer, and oral infections remain a global concern. Natural molecules, with their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbic properties, are one of the main sources of oral health and dental health care, and should be supplemented to exploit their beneficial effects. A possible way to improve the intake of these molecules is adhering to a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and probiotics, which has many beneficial properties and can improve overall health and wellbeing. The Mediterranean diet, in particular, provides several beneficial natural molecules, mainly because of the precious nutrients contained in its typical ingredients, mainly plant-based (olives, wine, citrus fruits, and many more). Its beneficial effects on several diseases and in increasing the overall wellbeing of the population are currently being studied by physicians. Among its nutrients, polyphenols (including, among other molecules, lignans, tannins, and flavonoids) seem to be of outmost importance: several studies showed their anticariogenic properties, as well as their effects in decreasing the incidence of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, plant-derived molecules – such as polyphenols – and probiotics – such as Lactobacillus reuteri – have shown a significant potential in treating and curing oral diseases, either alone or in combination, owing to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, respectively

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157∶H7 Gene Expression Profiling in Response to Growth in the Presence of Host Epithelia

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infection is attributed to virulence factors encoded on multiple pathogenicity islands. Previous studies have shown that EHEC O157:H7 modulates host cell signal transduction cascades, independent of toxins and rearrangement of the cytoskeleton. However, the virulence factors and mechanisms responsible for EHEC-mediated subversion of signal transduction remain to be determined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to first identify differentially regulated genes in response to EHEC O157:H7 grown in the presence of epithelial cells, compared to growth in the absence of epithelial cells (that is, growth in minimal essential tissue culture medium alone, minimal essential tissue culture medium in the presence of 5% CO(2), and Penassay broth alone) and, second, to identify EHEC virulence factors responsible for pathogen modulation of host cell signal transduction. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Overnight cultures of EHEC O157:H7 were incubated for 6 hr at 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of confluent epithelial (HEp-2) cells. Total RNA was then extracted and used for microarray analyses (Affymetrix E. coli Genome 2.0 gene chips). Relative to bacteria grown in each of the other conditions, EHEC O157:H7 cultured in the presence of cultured epithelial cells displayed a distinct gene-expression profile. A 2.0-fold increase in the expression of 71 genes and a 2.0-fold decrease in expression of 60 other genes were identified in EHEC O157:H7 grown in the presence of epithelial cells, compared to bacteria grown in media alone. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Microarray analyses and gene deletion identified a protease on O-island 50, gene Z1787, as a potential virulence factor responsible for mediating EHEC inhibition of the interferon (IFN)-gamma-Jak1,2-STAT-1 signal transduction cascade. Up-regulated genes provide novel targets for use in developing strategies to interrupt the infectious process

Dietary supplements for obesity

Obesity and associated complications including diabetes, cardiometabolic dysfunction, disability, malignancy and premature mortality are considered epidemic. Research on obesity is therefore of worldwide importance. The development of obesity is a multifactorial phenomenon with contributions from biological, behavioral, genetic and environmental factors. Obesity and its associated issues require various lifestyle modifications and treatment options such medication, exercise, diet, surgery, pharmacological therapy and dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are considered an attractive alternative to traditional therapy due to their low toxicity profile and their accessibility to the general population. Dietary supplements may include one or more dietary ingredients. In this narrative review, we analyze the effects on obesity and obesity-related issues of various natural components. For example, there are a myriad of supplements that have been used as dietary supplements for weight loss such as minerals, vitamins, amino acids, metabolites, herbs, and plant extracts. This narrative review aims to present the benefits and side-effects of several ingredients of dietary supplements for weight loss and treatment of obesity. In particular, the mechanism of action, results of clinical trials, and possible side effects will be presented for the following ingredients: β-Glucans, bitter orange, calcium, vitamin D, chitosan, chromium, cocoa, coleus forskohlii, conjugate linoleic acid, ephedra sinica, fucoxanthin, garcinia cambogia, glucomannan, green coffee, green tea, guar gum, raspberry, hoodia gordonii, irvingia gabonensis, phenylpropylamine, pyruvate, white kidney bean