Rodent Models of Obesity and Diabetes

Genetically modified animals are a widely used tool in biomedical research, since it allows modeling diseases, studying their pathological conditions and identifying and validating new drugs. One of the most common diseases studied in recent years is metabolic disorders resulting from abnormalities in enzyme systems involved in the intermediary metabolism of living organisms with a heavy impact on society. To understand the physiological mechanisms underlying these disorders, animal models, currently the transgenic type, have been employed. It is important to emphasize that there are various metabolic disorders that are not only congenital but can be acquired or a coexistence of both types. The aim of this chapter, therefore, is to describe the most commonly used rodent models focusing mainly on global emerging pathologies, obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Fructose Consumption among Students at The University of Guanajuato

Introduction: Fructose is a monosaccharide commonly found in fruits. However, it can also be found in carbonated beverages, cereals, fruit juices, and in other processed fruit. The consumption of fructose in moderate to high amounts increases levels of triglycerides in plasma and alters hepatic glucose homeostasis. Little information is avialble on fructose consumption in Mexico. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of fructose consumption among college students enrolled at the Unviersity of Guanajuato in Mexico (Celaya-Salvatierra Campus).Methods: This was an explorative, cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 57 full time students attending Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation program were included in the analysis. Demographic data, food frequency questionnaire, and body mass index (BMI) were collected from all students. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics; discrete variables were reported as frequencies or percentages and continuous variables were reported as means and standard deviations.Results: The average age of participants was 19.5 ± 2.8 years. 72% of participants were female and 28% were male. The average BMI was 24.0 ± 4.1 Kg / m2, indicating normal BMI range.  Fructose consumption was roughly 55g per day.Discussion: Previous research demonstrated that levels below 50 mg per day are safe. Madero et al. reported that that consumption of 50-70 g of fructose per day is considered to be moderate. We found that students consumed 55g of fructose, so their fructose intake is at a moderate level and should not be an obesity-inducing factor, also consistent with BMI ranges of our research participants. Considering obesity epidemic in Mexico, further studies examining the source of calories in Mexican poipualation are warranted, especially among young people

Prebiotics and the Modulation on the Microbiota-GALT-Brain Axis

It is well known that there exists a bi-directional communication system between the enteric nervous system and central nervous system. Recent research has attempted to understand the influence of intestinal bacteria on the brain and behavior. In this manner, it has been observed that pathogenic bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) can induce behavioral changes such as acute anxiety, depressive symptoms, cognitive deficits, and increased sensitivity to visceral pain. The modulation of LPS production through probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics can prevent these changes. In addition to the neuronal, endocrine, and metabolic pathways, it has been observed that the immune mechanism also exerts an influence on the gut-brain axis. The cells of the immune system can undergo phenotypic changes by the induction of certain bacterial species, which can have an important participation in the development of brain disorders. Although the main effect of prebiotics is through the stimulation of probiotic bacteria, in this chapter, we review the indirect therapeutic potential of prebiotics on the brain through the intestinal microbiota, the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and other components of the intestinal lumen. Thus, the objective is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its effects on the gut-brain axis. Here, we will summarize the possible therapeutic effect of prebiotics on intestinal microbiota, the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and brain

Fructose Consumption among Students at The University of Guanajuato

Introduction: Fructose is a monosaccharide commonly found in fruits. However, it can also be found in carbonated beverages, cereals, fruit juices, and in other processed fruit. The consumption of fructose in moderate to high amounts increases levels of triglycerides in plasma and alters hepatic glucose homeostasis. Little information is avialble on fructose consumption in Mexico. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of fructose consumption among college students enrolled at the Unviersity of Guanajuato in Mexico (Celaya-Salvatierra Campus). Methods: This was an explorative, cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 57 full time students attending Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation program were included in the analysis. Demographic data, food frequency questionnaire, and body mass index (BMI) were collected from all students. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics; discrete variables were reported as frequencies or percentages and continuous variables were reported as means and standard deviations. Results: The average age of participants was 19.5 ± 2.8 years. 72% of participants were female and 28% were male. The average BMI was 24.0 ± 4.1 Kg / m2, indicating normal BMI range.  Fructose consumption was roughly 55g per day. Discussion: Previous research demonstrated that levels below 50 mg per day are safe. Madero et al. reported that that consumption of 50-70 g of fructose per day is considered to be moderate. We found that students consumed 55g of fructose, so their fructose intake is at a moderate level and should not be an obesity-inducing factor, also consistent with BMI ranges of our research participants. Considering obesity epidemic in Mexico, further studies examining the source of calories in Mexican poipualation are warranted, especially among young people

Agave fructans and oligofructose decrease oxidative stress in brain regions involved in learning and memory of overweight mice

<p>Obesity is currently a public health problem worldwide. Recently, non-reducing carbohydrates, that include <i>β</i>(2→1) and <i>β</i>(2→6) linkages in their structure, have been of particular interest in the field of obesity because they are involved in lipid metabolism. Some of these are agave fructans (AF) and oligofructose (OF). In this study, we evaluated both AF and OF on oxidative stress (OS) markers in the brain of overweight mice (OM). AF and OF decreased TBARS levels and carbonyls at different levels in hippocampus (HP), frontal cortex (FC) and cerebellum (CB) of OM. The results indicated that fructans may have anti-oxidative potential and can be used as an alternative treatment for the prevention of the consequences of this pathology.</p

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

Uso de probióticos para el control de la hipercolesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the causes of the development of cardiovascular diseases, thus it is important to reduce blood cholesterol levels. There are several strategies to reduce the hypercholesterolemia such as modifying eating behavior, do exercise or to use treatment with drug, it has also been proposed the consumption of probiotics bacteria isolated from the intestinal microbiota. Probiotic bacteria can reduce cholesterol by reducing their absorption, by the action of bile salt hydrolase, by trapping the cholesterol on the bacterial membrane, by converting cholesterol to coprostanol, by inhibiting the formation of micelles and by the selective fermentation of certain foods by the intestinal microbiota. Thus, the use of probiotic bacteria is an alternative to reduce hypercholesterolemia and preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases, although the mechanisms are not completely clear.La hipercolesterolemia es de las principales causas del desarrollo de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, por lo que es importante reducir los niveles de colesterol en sangre. Hay diversas estrategía para reducir la hipercolesterolemia, como son: modificar la conducta alimentaria, hacer ejercicio con regularidad o el tratamiento con fármacos, también se ha propuesto el consumo de los probióticos o bacterias que conforman la microbióta intestinal (MI). Las bacterias probióticas pueden reducir el colesterol por disminuir la absorción del mismo, por la acción de hidrolasa de sales biliares (HSB), por atrapar el colesterol a la membrana de las bacteriana, por la conversión de colesterol a coprostanol, por inhibición de la formación de micelas y por la fermentación selectiva de ciertos alimentos por la microbiota intestinal. Así, el uso de bacterias probióticas es una alternativa para disminuir la hipercolesterolemia y prevenir el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, aunque los mecanismos no son completamente claros

Daily intake of a bean-fiber fortified bar reduces oxidative stress

It has been proposed that the consumption of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) reduces cardiovascular risk, and prevents and controls both chronic and degenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant capacity of a bean-fiber fortified bar (BFB) versus a commercial bar (CB) in 60 Mexican men and women (18-65 years old), who were randomly distributed in two groups: BFB or CB; individuals consumed a bar a day for one month. Anthropometric data, food intake and blood samples were collected. Glucose tolerance (GTT), lipid profile (PL), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) tests were performed; carbonyls groups in serum oxidized proteins were also measured. GTT and PL were not different between both groups in either the 15 or 30-day follow-up of bar consumption assessments. There were no significant differences in either TBARS or carbonyl concentration between groups; BFB group showed higher levels of serum lipid peroxidation in basal and fifteen days measurements; these levels decreased at the final evaluation: No differences were detected on carbonyl levels between groups. In conclusion, 30 days of fiber bean bar consumption did not alter glucose or PL levels, while, in the BFF group, oxidative stress decreased within 30 days of the consumption of the fortified bar.Se ha propuesto que el consumo de frijol com&uacute;n (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) reduce el riesgo cardiovascular, y previene y controla las enfermedades cr&oacute;nicas y degenerativas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar la capacidad antioxidante de una barra fortificada con fibra de frijol (BFB) versus una barra comercial (CB) en 60 hombres y mujeres mexicanos (18-65 a&ntilde;os de edad), quienes aleatoriamente fueron distribuidos en dos grupos: El grupo BFB y el CB que consumieron la barras fortificada con frijol y la barra comercial, respectivamente, durante un mes. Se recopilaron datos antropom&eacute;tricos, ingesta de alimentos y muestras de sangre. Se realiz&oacute; prueba de tolerancia a la glucosa (GTT), el perfil de l&iacute;pidos (PL), la peroxidaci&oacute;n de l&iacute;pidos (TBARS) y la cuantificaci&oacute;n de carbonilos en prote&iacute;nas oxidadas como pruebas de bioqu&iacute;mica sangu&iacute;nea. GTT y PL no fueron diferentes entre ambos grupos en la evaluaci&oacute;n de seguimiento de 15 y 30 d&iacute;as del consumo de la barra. No hubo diferencias significativas en los TBARS o la concentraci&oacute;n de carbonilo entre los grupos, el grupo BFB mostr&oacute; niveles m&aacute;s altos de peroxidaci&oacute;n de l&iacute;pidos en suero en la fase basal y a los quince d&iacute;as del consumo de la barra; curiosamente, estos niveles disminuyeron en la evaluaci&oacute;n final. No se detectaron diferencias en los niveles de carbonilo entre los grupos. En conclusi&oacute;n, 30 d&iacute;as de consumo de barras de fibra de frijol no alteraron los niveles de glucosa o PL; mientras que, en el grupo BFB, el estr&eacute;s oxidativo disminuy&oacute; a los 30 d&iacute;as del consumo de la barra fortificada