Processing and characterization of durum wheat bread enriched with antioxidant from yellow pepper flour

The effect of the addition of yellow pepper flour on bread physico-chemical and sensorial properties was addressed in this study. In particular, vegetable flour concentration was set at 25%; in order to optimize the bread sensorial properties, yellow pepper flour was separately hydrated at three different water content levels. Texture analysis were carried out on both dough and bread samples to evaluate their firmness. Furthermore, tomographic analysis was performed on the same samples in order to provide a more detailed view of their texture. Estimation of the glycemic response, determination of the carotenoids content and sensory analysis of the fortified bread were also determined. Results highlighted that the highest glycemic index was achieved in bread sample having the highest water content and that showed the worst results in terms of texture. Among the studied samples, bread with medium hydration level showed good structural characteristic, double anti-oxidant content compared to the control bread (CTRL S) and the highest sensorial quality

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Positively Associated with Increased Glycated Haemoglobin Levels in Subjects without Diabetes

Screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is key step for primary management of fatty liver in the clinical setting. Excess weight subjects carry a greater metabolic risk even before exhibiting pathological patterns, including diabetes. We characterized the cross-sectional relationship between routine circulating biomarkers and NAFLD in a large sample of diabetes-free subjects with overweight or obesity, to elucidate any independent relationship. A population sample of 1232 consecutive subjects with a body mass index of at least 25 kg/m(2), not receiving any drug or supplemental therapy, was studied. Clinical data and routine biochemistry were analyzed. NAFLD was defined using the validated fatty liver index (FLI), classifying subjects with a score >= 60% as at high risk. Due to extreme skewing of variables of interest, resampling matching for age and sex was performed. Our study population was characterized by a majority of females (69.90%) and a prevalence of NAFLD in males (88.90%). As a first step, propensity score matching was explicitly performed to balance the two groups according to the FLI cut-off. Based on the resulting statistical trajectories, corroborated even after data matching, we built two logistic regression models on the matched population (N = 732) to verify any independent association. We found that each unit increase of FT3 implicated a 50% increased risk of NAFLD (OR 1.506, 95%CI 1.064 to 2.131). When including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the model, free-triiodothyronine (FT3) lost significance (OR 1.557, 95%CI 0.784 to 3.089) while each unit increase in HbA1c (%) indicated a significantly greater NAFLD risk, by almost two-fold (OR 2.32, 95%CI 1.193 to 4.512). Glucose metabolism dominates a key pathway along the hazard trajectories of NAFLD, turned out to be key biomarker in monitoring the risk of fatty liver in diabetes-free overweight subjects. Each unit increase in HbA1c (%) indicated a significantly greater NAFLD risk, by almost two-fold, in our study

A family history of type 2 diabetes as a predictor of fatty liver disease in diabetes-free individuals with excessive body weight

Comprehensive screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may help prompt clinical management of fatty liver disease. A family history, especially of diabetes, has been little studied as a predictor for NAFLD. We characterized the cross-sectional relationship between a family history of type 2 diabetes (FHT2D) and NAFLD probability in 1185 diabetes-free Apulian (Southern-Italy) subjects aged > 20 years with overweight or obesity not receiving any drug or supplementation. Clinical data and routine biochemistry were analysed. NAFLD probability was defined using the fatty liver index (FLI). A first-degree FHT2D was assessed by interviewing subjects and assigning a score of 0, 1, or 2 if none, only one, or both parents were affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study population featured most females (70.9%, N = 840), and 48.4% (N = 574) of the sample had first-degree FHT2D. After dividing the sample by a FHT2D, we found a higher BMI, Waist Circumference (WC), and diastolic blood pressure shared by FHT2D subjects; they also showed altered key markers of glucose homeostasis, higher triglyceride levels, and worse liver function. FLI scores were significantly lower in subjects without a first-degree FHT2D. After running logistic regression models, a FHT2D was significantly associated with the NAFLD probability, even adjusting for major confounders and stratifying by age (under and over 40 years of age). A FHT2D led to an almost twofold higher probability of NAFLD, regardless of confounding factors (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.89). A first-degree FHT2D acts as an independent determinant of NAFLD in excess weight phenotypes, regardless of the age group (younger or older than 40 years). A NAFLD risk assessment within multidimensional screening might be useful in excess weight subjects reporting FHT2D even in the absence of diabetes

Higher Body Mass Index, Uric Acid Levels, and Lower Cholesterol Levels are Associated with Greater Weight Loss

Background: Identifying predictive factors that contribute to changes in body weight may well be an interesting approach to the management of obesity. Objective: This study was firstly aimed at examining the effect of a one-year lifestyle program based on improvements of the habitual diet and increased levels of physical activity on weight loss. Secondly, it was focused on identifying anthropometric, and serum hormonal, metabolic and haematochemical factors which can be associated with the degree of weight loss in Kg. Methods: 488 overweight or obese subjects, 383 women and 105 men, aged 18-67 years, were enrolled in the study. Body mass index, waist circumference, serum blood glucose, lipids, uric acid, creatinine, insulin, TSH, FT3, FT4, and 24-h urine catecholamines were measured. Results: Weight loss was positively associated with BMI (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P < 0.01), uric acid (P < 0.01), creatinine (P < 0.05), smoking (P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with age (P < 0.01), total cholesterol (P < 0.05), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01), HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). In a multiple regression model considering weight loss as a dependent variable, and smoking, age, BMI, uric acid, creatinine, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL cholesterol as independent variables, weight loss maintained a direct independent relationship with BMI (P < 0.001), uric acid (P < 0.05), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05), and HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05), and an inverse independent association with cholesterol (P < 0.01). Conclusions: This study suggests that higher BMI and uric acid levels, and lower total cholesterol concentrations are associated with a greater potential to lose weight

The Impact of Apolipoprotein E (<i>APOE</i>) Epigenetics on Aging and Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease.

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) derives from an interplay among environmental factors and genetic variants, while epigenetic modifications have been expected to affect the onset and progression of its complex etiopathology. Carriers of one copy of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) ε4 allele have a 4-fold increased AD risk, while APOE ε4/ε4-carriers have a 12-fold increased risk of developing AD in comparison with the APOE ε3-carriers. The main longevity factor is the homozygous APOE ε3/ε3 genotype. In the present narrative review article, we summarized and described the role of APOE epigenetics in aging and AD pathophysiology. It is not fully understood how APOE variants may increase or decrease AD risk, but this gene may affect tau- and amyloid-mediated neurodegeneration directly or indirectly, also by affecting lipid metabolism and inflammation. For sporadic AD, epigenetic regulatory mechanisms may control and influence APOE expression in response to external insults. Diet, a major environmental factor, has been significantly associated with physical exercise, cognitive function, and the methylation level of several cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotide sites of APOE

Endocrine Disruptors and Obesity: An Overview

Obesity is a growing pandemic. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are widespread in the environment. In this perspective, the authors examine the issue related to the exposure to several chemicals with endocrine-disrupting properties as promoting factors to obesity. Data show that Phthalates, Bisphenol compounds, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), solvents, and personal care products can modify metabolic properties in a dose-response and sex-specific manner. Phthalates and bisphenol compounds increase body mass index, waist circumference, waist to height ratio, and the sum of skinfold thicknesses in women and not in men. Low-dose exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants is strongly associated with increased body mass index in men and decreased this parameter in women. The mechanism through which these compounds act on anthropometric parameters is not entirely understood. Several studies suggest a possible interference in gonadotropin secretion and the thyroid axis. These inspire a decrease in both total and free testosterone levels in men and FT3 and FT4 levels in women, particularly after a pregnancy. The impact of endocrine disruptor chemicals on adipose tissue inflammation and future cardio-metabolic disorders remains to be elucidated. Therefore, studies involving both healthy and obese individuals are needed to unambiguously confirm results from in vitro and animal models

Effects of a Low Carb Diet and Whey Proteins on Anthropometric, Hematochemical and Cardiovascular Parameters in Subjects with Obesity

The best way to lose body weight, without using drugs and/or suffering hunger and stress, has not yet been defined. The present study tested a low carbohydrate diet, enriched with proteins, in subjects with overweight and obesity

Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and Thyroid Function in Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Apulian Survey

Much research suggests that Mediterranean eating habits and lifestyle contribute to counteract the risk of chronic diseases while promoting longevity, but little information is available on the effects of the Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) on thyroid function, particularly among overweight/obese subjects. Nevertheless, consistent data reported a slight increase in serum levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and a higher rate of conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) in obesity. This cross-sectional study was aimed at investigating the relationship between adherence to the Med-Diet and circulating thyroid hormones in a cohort of overweight/obese subjects from Apulia (Southern Italy). Methods: We studied 324 consecutive outpatient subjects (228 women and 96 men, age range 14&ndash;72 years) taking no drug therapy and showing normal levels of thyroid hormones, but complicated by overweight and obesity (body mass index (BMI) &ge; 25 Kg/m2). The PREDIMED (PREvenci&oacute;n con DIeta MEDiterr&aacute;nea) questionnaire was cross-sectionally administered to assess the adherence to the Med-Diet, and hormonal, metabolic, and routine laboratory parameters were collected. Results: Higher adherence to Med-Diet was found to be inversely related to free T3 (p &lt; 0.01) and T4 (p &lt; 0.01) serum levels. Considering each item in the PREDIMED questionnaire, people consuming at least four spoonfuls of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) per day, as well as those consuming at least two servings of vegetables per day, had lower free T3 levels (p 0.033 and p 0.021, respectively). Furthermore, consuming at least four spoonfuls of EVOO per day was found to be associated to lower free T4 serum concentrations (p 0.011). Multinomial logistic regression models, performed on tertiles of thyroid hormones to further investigate the relationship with Med-Diet, corroborated the significance only for free T4. Conclusion: Increased adherence to the Med-Diet was independently associated to a slightly reduced thyroid function, but still within the reference range for free T3 and T4 serum levels. This first finding in this field opens up a research line on any underlying biological interplay

The development of peptide- and oligonucleotide-based drugs to prevent the formation of abnormal tau in tauopathies

Introduction: Tauopathies represent clinicopathological entities with increased and abnormal glial and/or neuronal inclusions of tau, a microtubule-binding protein. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are a promising therapeutic approach for treating tauopathies as they can target tau mRNA to reduce total human tau expression or tau exon 10 expression and 4 R tau. Additionally, targeting the tau specifically with peptides may be a unique pharmacological approach, between small molecules and proteins.Areas covered: The present review investigates the chemical basis of designing ASOs and peptides currently known to treat tauopathies. Among ASOs targeting tau expression, BIIB080 was the first to enter clinical trial development for treating mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of peptide 021 (P021, Ac-DGGLAG-NH2) in tauopathies is discussed based on preclinical studies.Expert opinion: ASOs are a promising therapeutic approach for tauopathies, particularly because ASOs may suppress the expression of harmful genes and are directly delivered to the brain, showing little systemic side effects. However, whether a generalized brain tau decrease will produce positive clinical effects remains unclear. A Phase II trial of BIIB080 is ongoing in mild AD. Neurotrophic and neurogenic peptide mimetic compounds have also shown potential as treatment options for AD and other tauopathies