Exercise and Sirtuins: A Way to Mitochondrial Health in Skeletal Muscle

The sirtuins form a family of evolutionarily conserved nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylases. Seven sirtuins (SIRT1–SIRT7) have been described in mammals, with specific intracellular localization and biological functions associated with mitochondrial energy homeostasis, antioxidant activity, proliferation and DNA repair. Physical exercise affects the expression of sirtuin in skeletal muscle, regulating changes in mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative metabolism and the cellular antioxidant system. In this context, sirtuin 1 and sirtuin 3 have been the most studied. This review focuses on the effects of different types of exercise on these sirtuins, the molecular pathways involved and the biological effect that is caused mainly in healthy subjects. The reported findings suggest that an acute load of exercise activates SIRT1, which in turn activates biogenesis and mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Additionally, several sessions of exercise (training) activates SIRT1 and also SIRT3 that, together with the biogenesis and mitochondrial oxidative function, jointly activate ATP production and the mitochondrial antioxidant function

A PPARγ, NF-κB and AMPK-Dependent Mechanism May Be Involved in the Beneficial Effects of Curcumin in the Diabetic db/db Mice Liver

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family which has been used to treat biliary disorders, anorexia, cough, rheumatism, cancer, sinusitis, hepatic disorders, hyperglycemia, obesity, and diabetes in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Suggested mechanisms of action include the modulation of signal transduction cascades and effects on gene expression, however they remain to be elucidated. In this study, the expression of some proteins responsible for transcription factors, inflammation, and metabolic control were evaluated by western blot in 15-week-old db/db mice livers treated with curcumin 0.75% mixed in their diet for 8 weeks. In addition, nitrosative stress was evaluated. Curcumin increased the expression of AMPK and PPARγ, and diminished NF-κB protein in db/db mice. However, it did not modify the expression of PGC-1α or SIRT1. Nitrosative stress present in db/db mice livers was determined by a unique nitrotyrosylated protein band (75 kDa) and was not reverted with curcumin. In conclusion, curcumin regulates the expression of AMPK, PPARγ, and NF-κB; suggesting a beneficial effect for treatment of T2DM complications. In order to observe best beneficial effects it is desirable to administer curcumin in the earlier states of T2DM

Novel Adiposity and Biochemical–Anthropometric Indices to Identify Cardiometabolic Risk and Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican Adults

Although several indices used in clinical practice identify cardiometabolic risk (CR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), it is imperative to develop indices for specific populations. Therefore, we proposed and validated sex-specific indices to identify CR associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation or MetS in Mexican adults. Additionally, a cut-off value for the visceral fat area (VFA) to identify CR was proposed. Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, and body composition variables were evaluated in 904 subjects (25–45 years old) (84.4% men). Multiple and logistic regressions were used to model the indices and ROC curve analysis to determine predictive performance. An additional cohort (n = 186) was used for indices validation, and Cohen’s kappa coefficient was employed for agreement analysis. The proposed sex-specific indices, called Mexican adiposity indices (MAIs) and biochemical–anthropometric indices (BAIs), were good predictors for CR and MetS. The kappa coefficients showed a moderate agreement level. The VFA cut-off value chosen to identify CR was 100.3 cm2 because it had the best combination of sensitivity (66.8%) and specificity (64.4%). MAIs and BAIs could be clinical tools to identify either CR associated to VAT accumulation or MetS, respectively. A VFA cut-off value of 100.3 cm2 could identify CR in Mexican men

Differential proteomic analysis of the pancreas of diabetic db/db mice reveals the proteins involved in the development of complications of diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin-resistance. Diabetes results from pancreatic inability to secrete the insulin needed to overcome this resistance. We analyzed the protein profile from the pancreas of ten-week old diabetic db/db and wild type mice through proteomics. Pancreatic proteins were separated in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and significant changes in db/db mice respect to wild type mice were observed in 27 proteins. Twenty five proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) and their interactions were analyzed using search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) and database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery (DAVID). Some of these proteins were Pancreatic α-amylase, Cytochrome b5, Lithostathine-1, Lithostathine-2, Chymotrypsinogen B, Peroxiredoxin-4, Aspartyl aminopeptidase, Endoplasmin, and others, which are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, as well as in oxidative stress, and inflammation. Remarkably, these are mostly endoplasmic reticulum proteins related to peptidase activity, i.e., they are involved in proteolysis, glucose catabolism and in the tumor necrosis factor-mediated signaling pathway. These results suggest mechanisms for insulin resistance, and the chronic inflammatory state observed in diabetes

Validación del cuestionario “Etapa de cambio del comportamiento de los escolares en hábitos alimentarios y actividad física” (CEHAF)

To validate the questionnaire “Stage of Change in Behavior of Scholars in Eating Habits and Physical Activity" (CEHAF). It is based on the Transtheoretical Model, and it intends to be a useful tool for developing strategies against childhood obesity. It measures knowledge, attitudes, and habits towards nutrition and physical activity. Observational, crosssectional, randomized, and multi-center study in a sample of 1671 Mexican school-age children, from 8 to 12 years old, both genders. The CEHAF questionnaire is self-administered and consists of 35 questions, including 18 multiple choices, on habits and attitudes towards alimentation and physical activity. Reliability analysis through Cronbach’s alpha resulted in an alpha coefficient of 0.845. The exploratory factor analysis revealed three theoretically-congruent factors. The final version of the CEHAF questionnaire was conformed of 14 items. The psychometric characteristics of the CEHAF questionnaire indicate that it is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the stage of change in schoolage population.Validar el cuestionario “Etapa de cambio del comportamiento de escolares en hábitos alimentarios y actividad física” (CEHAF), el cual está basado en el modelo transteórico, y pretende ser una herramienta útil para desarrollar estrategias para combatir la obesidad infantil. Dicha herramienta mide conocimientos, actitudes y hábitos sobre nutrición y actividad física. Estudio observacional, transversal y aleatorizado en una muestra de 1671 estudiantes mexicanos, de 8 a 12 años de edad, ambos sexos. El cuestionario CEHAF es auto-administrado y se conforma por 35 preguntas, incluyendo 18 de opción multiple, sobre hábitos de alimentación y actividad física. Resultados: El análisis de confiabilidad mediante alfa de Cronbach resultó en un coeficiente alfa de 0.845. El análisis factorial exploratorio reveló tres factores teóricamente congruentes. La versión final del cuestionario CEHAF estuvo compuesta de 14 items. Las características psicométricas del cuestionario CEHAF lo vuelven una herramienta válida y confiable para evaluar la etapa de cambio en estudiantes de escuela primaria

Validación del cuestionario “Etapa de cambio del comportamiento de los escolares en hábitos alimentarios y actividad física” (CEHAF)

To validate the questionnaire “Stage of Change in Behavior of Scholars in Eating Habits and Physical Activity" (CEHAF). It is based on the Transtheoretical Model, and it intends to be a useful tool for developing strategies against childhood obesity. It measures knowledge, attitudes, and habits towards nutrition and physical activity. Observational, crosssectional, randomized, and multi-center study in a sample of 1671 Mexican school-age children, from 8 to 12 years old, both genders. The CEHAF questionnaire is self-administered and consists of 35 questions, including 18 multiple choices, on habits and attitudes towards alimentation and physical activity. Reliability analysis through Cronbach’s alpha resulted in an alpha coefficient of 0.845. The exploratory factor analysis revealed three theoretically-congruent factors. The final version of the CEHAF questionnaire was conformed of 14 items. The psychometric characteristics of the CEHAF questionnaire indicate that it is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the stage of change in schoolage population.Validar el cuestionario “Etapa de cambio del comportamiento de escolares en hábitos alimentarios y actividad física” (CEHAF), el cual está basado en el modelo transteórico, y pretende ser una herramienta útil para desarrollar estrategias para combatir la obesidad infantil. Dicha herramienta mide conocimientos, actitudes y hábitos sobre nutrición y actividad física. Estudio observacional, transversal y aleatorizado en una muestra de 1671 estudiantes mexicanos, de 8 a 12 años de edad, ambos sexos. El cuestionario CEHAF es auto-administrado y se conforma por 35 preguntas, incluyendo 18 de opción multiple, sobre hábitos de alimentación y actividad física. Resultados: El análisis de confiabilidad mediante alfa de Cronbach resultó en un coeficiente alfa de 0.845. El análisis factorial exploratorio reveló tres factores teóricamente congruentes. La versión final del cuestionario CEHAF estuvo compuesta de 14 items. Las características psicométricas del cuestionario CEHAF lo vuelven una herramienta válida y confiable para evaluar la etapa de cambio en estudiantes de escuela primaria