Hepatocyte transplantation, a step forward?

Hepatocyte transplantation emerged a few decades ago as a possible strategy to overcome some of the limitations of liver transplantation, among them the availability of organ donors and the functional quality of grafts. Nowadays, allogenic cell transplantation is still to be confirmed as a viable therapeutic option for patients with hereditary metabolic liver diseases. Although we have now overseen 5 decades of basic and animal research in the field, the number of successfully treated patients remains low. Limitations in cell engraftment and selective proliferation of transplanted cells remain a constraint to the generalized use of this therapeutic approach

Presence of fibronectin peptides in saliva of patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome: a potential indicator of salivary gland destruction

Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study was to monitor the degree of destruction of salivary glands in Sjögren disease by the detection of fibronectin peptides in patients’ saliva. Study design: The sample consisted of 10 subjects divided in 2 groups, one with Sjögren disease and a control group. Saliva samples were submitted to an inmunodetection analysis. In addition, non pathological salivary glands, obtained from 2 subjects who underwent minor oral surgery, were incubated with leukocyte homogenates and analysed to compare the obtained fragments.Results: The inmunodetection analysis of Sjögren saliva revealed multiple protein bands, including fibronectin, that were not present in saliva from healthy individuals. The inmunostained bands varied depending on the course of the disease, showing more fibronectin fragments in an active phase . Furthermore, results obtained from the non-pathological glands incubated with leukocyte homogenates were similar to those revealed in saliva from Sjö- gren patients. Conclusion: The presence of fibronectin peptides in Sjögren patients’ saliva can constitute a method to monitor activity in Sjögren’s disease

Efecto de la energía microondas sobre la calidad de cuatro variedades españolas de arroz [ES]

A microwave system can be used as an alternative method to methyl bromide to control rice storage pests. Four rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) grown in Spain (‘Bomba’, ‘Senia’, ‘Puntal’ and ‘Thainato’) were irradiated with three levels of microwave energy (0, 70 and 100 J g–1). Rice quality attributes were analysed to establish hypothetical quality changes in order to use microwave energy as an alternative method to control pests. Results of the factorial analysis showed that the analysed attributes differed more within varieties than among microwave treatments of the varieties, except for ‘Thainato’ which, after applying microwave energy of 100 J g–1, presented a different adhesiveness from the other two treatments determined by factor 1 and ‘Puntal’ treated with microwaves presented a different water uptake and loss of solids in cooking water determined by factor 3 than the control. The increase in hardness and decrease in adhesiveness as a consequence of the microwave treatment could possibly damage rice quality. This aspect must be taken into account with this method. In conclusion, microwave energy can be used as an alternative method of insect control because it does not seriously affect rice quality. Microwave treatments did not leave undesirable residues and could be as effective at controlling insect infestation as any procedure currently available.This research was co-financed by MCYT and FEDER No. 1FD1997-2235-C03-03.Peer reviewe

Dietary Consumption of Polyphenols in University Students Relationship with Their Health-Related Habits

Polyphenols are compounds derived from plants found in foods with potential health benefits due to their antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to establish the consumption of polyphenols in university students and the relationship between the amount of polyphenols consumed and their health-related habits. For this, 270 university students answered a validated food consumption frequency questionnaire (FFQ), a physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), and a health and lifestyle questionnaire. From the FFQ, the daily consumption of classes and subclasses of polyphenols was calculated. Then, the population was classified in terciles according to the polyphenol consumption, and the physical activity, smoking habits, and the prevalence of allergy and obesity in each tercile was established. The consumption of polyphenols was about 1.5 g/day, being flavonoids and phenolic acids the most consumed. The main sources of polyphenol consumption were cocoa, coffee, and to a lesser extent, fruits. There were no significant differences in consumption according to sex, BMI, health status, or physical activity. The smoking habit was related to a high consumption of polyphenols, mainly those that came from coffee and cocoa. Students who smoke had a higher consumption of polyphenols with respect to nonsmokers, especially those derived from coffee

Relationship between Cocoa Intake and Healthy Status: A Pilot Study in University Students

Due to its polyphenol content, cocoa's potential health effects are attracting much attention, showing, among other things, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective actions. However, there is very limited information regarding the effect of cocoa on human immunity. This study aimed to establish the relationship between cocoa consumption and health status, focusing on physical activity habits and allergy prevalence in young people. For this, a sample of 270 university students was recruited to complete a food frequency questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a lifestyle and health status questionnaire. The results were analysed by classifying the participants into tertiles defined according to their cocoa consumption: low (LC), moderate (MC), and high (HC) consumers. The consumption of cocoa inversely correlated with physical activity and the MC group had significantly less chronic disease frequency than the LC group. The percentage of allergic people in the MC and HC groups was lower than that in the LC group and, moreover, the cocoa intake, especially moderate consumption, was also associated with a lower presence of allergic symptoms. Thus, from these results a positive effect of cocoa intake on allergy can be suggested in the young population. View Full-Text Keywords: allergy; cacao; chocolate; food frequency questionnaire; International Physical Activity Questionnaire; young peopl

The Vitamin D Receptor Regulates Glycerolipid and Phospholipid Metabolism in Human Hepatocytes

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) must be relevant to liver lipid metabolism because VDR deficient mice are protected from hepatosteatosis. Therefore, our objective was to define the role of VDR on the overall lipid metabolism in human hepatocytes. We developed an adenoviral vector for human VDR and performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of cultured human hepatocytes upon VDR activation by vitamin D (VitD). Twenty percent of the VDR responsive genes were related to lipid metabolism, including MOGAT1, LPGAT1, AGPAT2, and DGAT1 (glycerolipid metabolism); CDS1, PCTP, and MAT1A (phospholipid metabolism); and FATP2, SLC6A12, and AQP3 (uptake of fatty acids, betaine, and glycerol, respectively). They were rapidly induced (4-6 h) upon VDR activation by 10 nM VitD or 100 µM lithocholic acid (LCA). Most of these genes were also upregulated by VDR/VitD in mouse livers in vivo. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) metabolomics demonstrated intracellular accumulation of triglycerides, with concomitant decreases in diglycerides and phosphatidates, at 8 and 24 h upon VDR activation. Significant alterations in phosphatidylcholines, increases in lyso-phosphatidylcholines and decreases in phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens were also observed. In conclusion, active VitD/VDR signaling in hepatocytes triggers an unanticipated coordinated gene response leading to triglyceride synthesis and to important perturbations in glycerolipids and phospholipids

New microRNA biomarkers for drug-induced steatosis and their potential to predict the contribution of drugs to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background and Aims: Drug-induced steatosis is a major reason for drug failure in clinical trials and post-marketing withdrawal; and therefore, predictive biomarkers are essential. These could be particularly relevant in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where most patients show features of the metabolic syndrome and are prescribed with combined chronic therapies, which can contribute to fatty liver. However, specific biomarkers to assess the contribution of drugs to NAFLD are lacking. We aimed to find microRNAs (miRNAs) responsive to steatotic drugs and to investigate if they could become circulating biomarkers for drug-induced steatosis. Methods: Human HepG2 cells were treated with drugs and changes in miRNA levels were measured by microarray and qRT-PCR. Drug-induced fat accumulation in HepG2 was analyzed by high-content screening and enzymatic methods. miRNA biomarkers were also analyzed in the sera of 44 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients and in 10 controls. Results: We found a set of 10 miRNAs [miR-22-5p, -3929, -24-2-5p, -663a, -29a-3p, -21 (5p and 3p), -27a-5p, -1260 and -202-3p] that were induced in human HepG2 cells and secreted to the culture medium upon incubation with model steatotic drugs (valproate, doxycycline, cyclosporin A and tamoxifen). Moreover, cell exposure to 17 common drugs for NAFLD patients showed that some of them (e.g., irbesartan, fenofibrate, and omeprazole) also induced these miRNAs and increased intracellular triglycerides, particularly in combinations. Finally, we found that most of these miRNAs (60%) were detected in human serum, and that NAFLD patients under fibrates showed both induction of these miRNAs and a more severe steatosis grade. Conclusion: Steatotic drugs induce a common set of hepatic miRNAs that could be used in drug screening during preclinical development. Moreover, most of these miRNAs are serum circulating biomarkers that could become useful in the diagnosis of iatrogenic steatosis

A new Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess chocolate and cocoa consumption

Objective Cocoa has been highlighted as a food with potential benefits to human health because of its polyphenol content. However, few studies show the contribution of cocoa and chocolate products in polyphenol intake. The aim of this work was to develop a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for evaluating the intake of food products containing cocoa (C-FFQ). Methods A sample of 50 university students was recruited to complete the 90-item questionnaire, a validated questionnaire (called here European Food Safety Authority [EFSA]-Q) as well as a 24-hour dietary recall (24 HDR). Spearman correlation test, Bland-Altman plots, and quintile classification analysis were conducted together with the Wilcoxon test and descriptive statistics. Results Significant correlations between the C-FFQ and the EFSA-Q for the most common cocoa/chocolate products were observed (P < 0.05), as well as between data from the C-FFQ and 24 HDR (P < 0.05). However, a number of cocoa/chocolate products frequently consumed by the participants were detected by the C-FFQ and 24 HDR which were not included in the EFSA-Q. According to the C-FFQ, chocolate bars were the main source of cocoa in university students, but dairy products also provided an important amount of cocoa. Conclusion The developed C-FFQ questionnaire can be considered as a valid option for assessing the consumption frequency of cocoa/chocolate-derived products, thereby allowing the evaluation of cocoa polyphenol intake in further studies

SOC-V-11 New serum miRNA biomarkers to predict liver steatosis by valproic acid in paediatric epileptic patients

Depakine (Valproate, VPA) has been the first line, most-frequently prescribed, anti-epileptic drug in children for the past 50 years. Idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity (iDILI) by VPA has been demonstrated in several case reports, where microvesicular liver steatosis was the most frequent feature. Moreover, more than half of VPA-treated patients could have silent fatty liver as demonstrated by ultrasounds. Extensive experimental studies support that VPA has a high potential to induce steatosis in hepatocytes. However, there is an apparent lack of significant hepatic problems in the Neuropediatric Units, despite transaminitis is not uncommon. One of the reasons could be that iDILI and liver steatosis diagnosis lack specific biomarkers. Thus, it is likely that a relevant number of children under VPA treatment may have a significant, but sub-clinical, hepatosteatosis

Factors Associated with Non-Adherence to Drugs in Patients with Chronic Diseases Who Go to Pharmacies in Spain

Background. Pharmacological non-adherence in chronic diseases is 40–65%. No predictive profile of non-adherence exists in patients with multiple chronic diseases. Our study aimed to quantify the prevalence of non-adherence to pharmacological treatment and its associated factors in patients who visit pharmacies in Spain. Methods. This observational cross-sectional study included patients with one or more chronic diseases. The variables analyzed were demographics, diseases involved, self-medication, information about disease, and lifestyle. The main variable was adherence using the Morisky–Green test. A total of 132 pharmacies collaborated, providing 6327 patients representing all Spain regions (April–December 2016). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated. Results. Non-adherence was 48.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 47.2–49.7%). The variables that reached significance in the multivariate model were: difficulty in taking medication, self-medication, desire for more information, smoking, lower physical activity, younger age and number of chronic treatments. Discrimination was satisfactory (area under the ROC curve = 70%). Our study found that 50% patients was non-adherent and we obtained a profile of variables associated with therapeutic non-adherence. Conclusions. It is cause for concern that in patients with multiple diseases and taking multiple medications, there is an association between non-adherence, self-medication and worse lifestyle