Effects of wholegrain cereal foods on plasma short chain fatty acid concentrations in individuals with the metabolic syndrome

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) derived from dietary fiber fermentation by gut microbiota have been identified as one of the mechanisms behind the association between habitual whole-grain intake and a lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The aims of the present work are: (1) to evaluate whether a whole-grain wheat-based diet may increase SCFAs concentration, and (2) to identify possible associations between SCFAs and metabolic changes observed after the nutritional intervention

Subjective satiety and plasma PYY concentration after wholemeal pasta

Dietary fiber and whole grain foods may contribute to the regulation of appetite; however, evidence has produced inconclusive findings. The objective was to evaluate the effects of an experimental wholemeal pasta on appetite ratings, plasma concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones involved in appetite control, and postprandial glucose/insulin responses in healthy adults. Fourteen healthy adults (7M/7F), mean age 30±2 yrs (mean±SEM), participated in a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Participants consumed on two different days, at one week interval, 117g of wholemeal pasta or 100g of refined wheat pasta (control pasta), similar in energy and macronutrient composition except for fiber amount, which was higher in wholemeal pasta (11 vs 3 g). Appetite ratings, glucose/insulin/lipid and gastrointestinal hormone responses were measured at fasting and for 4-h after the ingestion of the pasta tests, after which self-reported energy intake for 8-h was evaluated. After the wholemeal pasta, the desire to eat and the sensation of hunger were lower (-16%, p=0.04 and -23%, p=0.004, respectively) and satiety was higher (+13%; p=0.08) compared with the control pasta; no effect on self-reported energy intake at subsequent meal was observed. After wholemeal pasta, glucose, triglyceride increased and GLP-1 responses were not different compared to control pasta but insulin response at 30 min (p<0.05) and ghrelin at 60 min (p=0.03) were lower and PYY levels higher (AUC=+44%, p=0.001). The appetite rating changes correlated with PYY plasma levels (p<0.03). In conclusion, consumption of whole grain instead of refined wheat pasta contributed to appetite control but did not seem to influence acute energy balance. Appetite ratings were associated with modifications in PYY hormone concentrations

Impact of synthetic surfactants and oil dispersants on the gills of juvenile gilthead (Sparus aurata L.)

Histological, scanning electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies were performed on the gills of juvenile gilthead (Sparus aurata L.) exposed to various concentrations of three anionic detergents: sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), safety sea cleaner 2 (SSC2), and FINASOL OSR2, in short term (96 h) and chronic (28 days) experiments. The mortality rate, median lethal concentration (LC50) and the no observed effect concentration (NOEC), were calculated. At concentrations above 10 mg/L, mortality was from 50 to 100% after exposure to SDS and SSC2, both in short term and chronic experiments. Gills were spongiotic and there were many lamellar fusions, membrane disruptions, hydropic degenerations and exfoliations of lamellar and interlamellar epithelium after 96 h of treatment and more markedly after chronic experiment. Microridges of the cell surface were less evident or absent. The enzymes of ion transport were down regulated. Exposure to FINASOL OSR2 (100 mg/L) showed no evident branchial alteration

Polyphenol-rich diets improve glucose metabolism in people at high cardiometabolic risk: a controlled randomised intervention trial

Dietary polyphenols and long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn3) are associated with lower cardiovascular risk. This may relate to their influence on glucose metabolism and diabetes risk. We evaluated the effects of diets naturally rich in polyphenols and/or LCn3 of marine origin on glucose metabolism in people at high cardiometabolic risk

Clozapine Impairs Insulin Action by Up-Regulating Akt Phosphorylation and Ped/Pea-15 Protein Abundance

Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that atypical antipsychotics impair glucose metabolism. We investigated whether clozapine may directly affect insulin action by analyzing insulin signaling in vitro and in vivo. Clozapine reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in PC12 and in L6 cells, representative models of neuron and skeletal muscle, respectively. Consistently, clozapine reduced insulin effect on insulin receptor (IR) by 40% and on IR substrate-1 (IRS1) tyrosine phosphorylation by 60%. Insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation was also reduced by about 40%. Moreover, insulin-dependent phosphorylation of protein kinase C-ζ (PKC-ζ) was completely blunted in clozapine-treated cells. Interestingly, clozapine treatment was accompanied by an insulin-independent increase of Akt phosphorylation, with no change of IR, IRS1, and PKC-ζ basal phosphorylation. The cellular abundance of Ped/Pea-15, an Akt substrate and inducer of insulin resistance, was also increased following clozapine exposure, both in the absence and in the presence of cyclohexymide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. Similar as in cellular models, in the caudate–putamen and in the tibialis muscle of clozapine-treated C57/BL/KsJ mice, Akt phosphorylation and Ped/Pea-15 protein levels were increased and PKC-ζ phosphorylation was decreased. Thus, in these experimental models, clozapine deranged Akt function and up-regulated Ped/Pea-15, thereby inhibiting insulin stimulation of PKC-ζ and of glucose uptake. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1485–1492, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Urine 8-isoprostane in relation to adiposity and insulin resistance in individuals at high cardiometabolic risk

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many conditions, including insulin resistance and obesity. However, in vivo data concerning these relationships are scarce and conflicting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of oxidative stress with abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance in individuals at high cardiometabolic risk

Allergy in severe asthma

It is well recognized that atopic sensitisation is an important risk factor for asthma, both in adults and in children. However, the role of allergy in severe asthma is still under debate. The term "Severe Asthma" encompasses a highly heterogeneous group of patients who require treatment on steps 4-5 of GINA guidelines to prevent their asthma from becoming "uncontrolled", or whose disease remains "uncontrolled" despite this therapy. Epidemiological studies on emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma suggest the important role of allergy in asthma exacerbations. In addition, allergic asthma in childhood is often associated with severe asthma in adulthood. A strong association exists between asthma exacerbations and respiratory viral infections, and interaction between viruses and allergy further increases the risk of asthma exacerbations. Furthermore, fungal allergy has been shown to play an important role in severe asthma. Other contributing factors include smoking, pollution and work-related exposures. The "Allergy and Asthma Severity" EAACI Task Force examined the current evidence and produced this position document on the role of allergy in severe asthma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved