27 research outputs found
Nutrition and cellular senescence in obesity-related disorders
Julio Plaza-Diaz is part of the “UGR Plan Propio de Investigación 2016 and the “Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), University of Granada”. Julio Plaza-Diaz is sup- ported by a grant awarded to postdoctoral researchers at foreign universities and research centers from the “Fundación Ramón Are- ces”, Madrid, Spain. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada / CBUA.Adequate nutrition is vital for immune homeostasis. However, the incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide due to the adoption of the Western
diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation which alters the function of adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and the nervous
system. Inflammation is related to cellular senescence, distinguished by irreversible cell cycle arrest. Senescent cells secrete the senescence-associated
secretory phenotype (SASP) which contains pro-inflammatory factors. Targeting processes in senescence might have a salutary approach to obesity. The
present review highlights the impact of an unhealthy diet on tissues affected by obesity, and the mechanisms that promote the consequent inflammation
and senescence.UGR Plan Propio de Investigación 2016Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), University of Granada“Fundación Ramón Are- ces”, Madrid, Spain.Universidad de Granada / CBU
Plausible Biological Interactions of Low- and Non-Calorie Sweeteners with the Intestinal Microbiota: An Update of Recent Studies
Julio Plaza-Díaz is part of the “UGR Plan Propio de Investigación 2016” and
the “Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), University of Granada”.
Francisco J. Ruiz-Ojeda and Belén Pastor-Villaescusa are supported by a grant to postdoctoral researchers at foreign
universities and research centers from the “Fundación Alfonso Martín-Escudero”, Madrid, Spain. We are grateful to
Belen Vazquez-Gonzalez for assistance with the illustration service.Sweeteners that are a hundred thousand times sweeter than sucrose are being consumed as
sugar substitutes. The effects of sweeteners on gut microbiota composition have not been completely
elucidated yet, and numerous gaps related to the effects of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) on health still
remain. The NNS aspartame and acesulfame-K do not interact with the colonic microbiota, and, as a
result, potentially expected shifts in the gut microbiota are relatively limited, although acesulfame-K
intake increases Firmicutes and depletes Akkermansia muciniphila populations. On the other hand,
saccharin and sucralose provoke changes in the gut microbiota populations, while no health effects,
either positive or negative, have been described; hence, further studies are needed to clarify these
observations. Steviol glycosides might directly interact with the intestinal microbiota and need bacteria
for their metabolization, thus they could potentially alter the bacterial population. Finally, the effects of
polyols, which are sugar alcohols that can reach the colonic microbiota, are not completely understood;
polyols have some prebiotics properties, with laxative effects, especially in patients with inflammatory
bowel syndrome. In this review, we aimed to update the current evidence about sweeteners’ effects
on and their plausible biological interactions with the gut microbiota
Effect of Probiotics on Host-Microbiota in Bacterial Infections
Diseases caused by bacteria cause millions of deaths every year. In addition, the problem of
resistance to antibiotics is so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine. This is a
very important global problem as some bacteria can also develop persistence. Indeed, the persistence
of pathogenic bacteria has evolved as a potent survival strategy to overcome host organisms’ defense
mechanisms. Additionally, chronic or persistent infections may be caused by persisters which could
facilitate antibiotic resistance. Probiotics are considered good bacteria. It has been described that the
modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics could have a great potential to counteract the deleterious
impact and/or regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection. Probiotics might provide health
benefits through the inhibition of pathogen growth or the replacement of pathogenic bacteria. Bearing
in mind that current strategies to avoid bacterial persistence and prevent antibiotic resistance are not
effective, other strategies need to be assessed. We have carried out a comprehensive review, which
included the reported literature between 2016 and 2021, highlighting the clinical trials that reported
the probiotics’ potential to regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection and focusing in particular
on the context of antibiotic resistance and persister cells.Regional Ministry of Health and Families (Andalucia, Spain) RPS 2466
From Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Liver Cancer: Microbiota and Inflammation as Key Players
It is estimated that 25% of the world’s population has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This
disease can advance to a more severe form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease with a
greater probability of progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH could be
characterized as a necro-inflammatory complication of chronic hepatic steatosis. The combination of
factors that lead to NASH and its progression to HCC in the setting of inflammation is not clearly
understood. The portal vein is the main route of communication between the intestine and the
liver. This allows the transfer of products derived from the intestine to the liver and the hepatic
response pathway of bile and antibody secretion to the intestine. The intestinal microbiota performs
a fundamental role in the regulation of immune function, but it can undergo changes that alter its
functionality. These changes can also contribute to cancer by disrupting the immune system and
causing chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, both of which are implicated in cancer
development. In this article, we address the link between inflammation, microbiota and HCC.We
also review the different in vitro models, as well as recent clinical trials addressing liver cancer and
microbiota
Canting of the occlusal plane: perceptions of dental professionals and laypersons
Objectives: To determine if canting of the occlusal plane influences esthetic evaluation of the smile among orthodontists, dentists and laypersons.
Study Design: A frontal photo of a smile with 0º occlusal plane canting in relation to the bipupillary plane was
modified using Adobe Photoshop C3 (Adobe Systems Inc, San José, California) to generate two images with occlusal plane inclinations of 2º and 4º. The three images were evaluated esthetically by orthodontists (n=40) general
dentists (n=40) and laypersons (n=40). Each image was awarded a score as follows: 1=esthetically acceptable;
2=moderately acceptable; 3=esthetically unacceptable. Evaluators also placed the three images in order in preference. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis (p<0.05) and the Mann-Whitney tests, applying the Bonferroni Correction (p<0.016).
Results: No significant differences (p> 0.05) were found between the three groups for 0º and 2º cants (median
for orthodontists=1; general dentists=1; laypersons=1). Orthodontists (median score=3) made evaluations of the
image with 4º occlusal plane that were significantly different from general dentists (median=2) and laypersons
(median=2). All three groups put the 0º image in first place in order of esthetic acceptability, the 2º image in second place and the 4º image in third place. Orthodontists placed the 0º image in first place with significantly greater
frequency (p<0.016) than laypersons.
Conclusions: Occlusal plane canting of 0º and 2º were evaluated as esthetically acceptable by the three groups.
The 4º occlusal plane cant was evaluated more negatively by orthodontists than by general dentists and laypersons. All three groups placed the 0º image in first place of esthetic acceptability, 2º in second place and 4º in third.
Orthodontists put the 0º image in first place with significantly greater frequency than laypersons
Grape and Grape-Based Product Polyphenols: A Systematic Review of Health Properties, Bioavailability, and Gut Microbiota Interactions
Grapevine-derived products have been widely studied for their reported benefits, especially
those related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, in recent years, the interest
in the study of grapes and their non-fermented derivatives (grape juices) has gained prominence
over the well-known interest in red wine, since grapes and grape juices seem to be widely related to
the beneficial effects associated with the Mediterranean diet, and consequently to the presence of
phenolic compounds. The focus of this systematic review was the phenolic profiles of grape, juice,
and wine, as well as the possible beneficial effects of their consumption on the human microbiota
through a systematic literature review. PubMed and Scopus were accessed during April 2021 and the
PRISMA methodological protocol was followed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time
that the PRISMA methodology has been applied to this systematic knowledge. This methodology
allowed for a scientific description of: (a) the comparison between grapes and their derived products
as source of phenolic compounds, (b) great possibilities for working on a new line of investigation
based on the synergy between polyphenol consumption and microbiota, and (c) the urgent need for
strategies to improve the bioavailability of these compounds
Physiological Doses of Hydroxytyrosol Modulate Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Exercised Rats
This study was supported by the grant #3650 managed by Fundacion General EmpresaUniversidad de Granada and by the investigation group CTS-454 "Impacto fisiologico del estres oxidativo, deporte, actividad fisica y salud".We tested whether physiological doses of hydroxytyrosol (HT) may alter the mRNA transcription
of key metabolic genes in exercised skeletal muscle. Two groups of exercise-trained Wistar
rats, HTlow and HTmid, were supplemented with 0.31 and 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT, respectively, for
10 weeks. Another two groups of rats were not supplemented with HT; one remained sedentary
and the other one was exercised. After the experimental period, the soleus muscle was removed
for qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. The consumption of 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT during exercise
increased the mRNA expression of important metabolic proteins. Specifically, 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT
may upregulate long-chain fatty acid oxidation, lactate, and glucose oxidation as well as mitochondrial
Krebs cycle in trained skeletal muscle. However, a 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT may alter protein
translation, as in spite of the increment showed by CD36 and GLUT4 at the mRNA level this was not
translated to higher protein content.3650
CTS-45
Analysis and Screening of Commercialized Protein Supplements for Sports Practice
Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of the consumption of sports-related
supplements. However, the hypothesis is raised that it is necessary to analyze the quality aspects
of these supplements in relation to the information provided on the label, to avoid associated risks
and obtain the greatest possible benefit from their consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study has
been to carry out an analysis or screening of the protein supplements that are currently marketed in
Spain. We analyzed the labels of 52 protein sports supplements available both in physical stores and
online. The analysis consisted of addressing three relevant aspects considering the labeling: (a) the
legislative framework in which the supplements are marketed, (b) the quality of the protein, and
(c) the presence of other ingredients according to the specifications of the label. In the legislative
context, there do not seem to be any specific regulations to guarantee consumer protection, which
can lead to unfair practices and misleading advertising. Most of the supplements analyzed to comply
with the requirements of their current regulations. However, claims about their benefits that are
not allowed under European legislation have been found in some of them. Regarding composition
and according to label information, the supplements have been found to provide a sufficient dose
of protein in terms of recommended protein intake per serving. Regarding the presence of other
ingredients and according to the information on the label, most of them, except for egg supplements,
contain other ingredients. Colostrum was also found in one of the supplements evaluated. The
conclusions of the study reveal that, due to a lack of knowledge or misleading advertising practices,
supplements are often not used properly. The information provided is essential for both professionals
and consumers to avoid the risks associated with consumption, such as unintentional doping,
interactions between ingredients that reduce the quality of the supplement, and consumption of
supplements inappropriately, among others
Physical activity as a preventive measure against overweight, obesity, infections, allergies and cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescents: AFINOS Study protocol
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prior studies addressing the impacts of regular physical activity or sedentary habits on the immune system have been conducted in adults and laboratory settings. Thus, it is practically unknown how a healthy active lifestyle could affect low-grade inflammation processes, infections or allergies in young persons. The AFINOS Study was designed to determine the relationship between the regular physical activity levels of adolescents and overweight, infection, and allergies along with the presence of metabolic and immunological biomarkers of a deteriorated health status. A further objective of the AFINOS Study is to assess the health status and lifestyle habits of an adolescent population in an effort to identify any protective factors that could be used as preventive measures, since many chronic diseases and their associated co-morbidities often persist from adolescence into adulthood.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study was conducted as three separate sub-studies in three different populations as follows: (a) Study 1 was performed on a population sample of adolescents; (b) Study 2 on the adolescents' parents; and (c) Study 3 on a subset of the adolescents from Study 1. Study 1 assessed health and lifestyle indicators through a questionnaire administered to a representative sample of adolescents from the Madrid Region (n = 2400) aged 13 to 16 years. In Study 2, the parents of the teenagers participating in Study 1 were required to fill out a questionnaire. Finally in Study 3, body composition, physical activity, health-related physical fitness, and blood measurements were determined in a subset (n = 200) of the individuals included in Study 1.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This paper describes the rationale, design, and methodologies used in the AFINOS Study. This multidisciplinary, multicenter study seeks to evaluate several aspects of existing relationships between routine physical activity/sedentary behaviour and several health status markers, specifically those related to the immune system. The results of this cross-sectional study will serve for comparisons with the available data obtained in laboratory settings and in adults. In addition, knowledge regarding the health status and lifestyle habits of Spanish adolescents and their parents will be useful for designing preventive measures.</p
Impact of Dietary Patterns on H. pylori Infection and the Modulation of Microbiota to Counteract Its Effect. A Narrative Review
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the stomach and can induce gastric disease and intra-gastric lesions, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. This bacterium is responsible for long-term complications of gastric disease. The conjunction of host genetics, immune response, bacterial virulence expression, diet, micronutrient availability, and microbiome structure influence the disease outcomes related to chronic H. pylori infection. In this regard, the consumption of unhealthy and unbalanced diets can induce microbial dysbiosis, which infection with H. pylori may contribute to. However, to date, clinical trials have reported controversial results and current knowledge in this field is inconclusive. Here, we review preclinical studies concerning the changes produced in the microbiota that may be related to H. pylori infection, as well as the involvement of diet. We summarize and discuss the last approaches based on the modulation of the microbiota to improve the negative impact of H. pylori infection and their potential translation from bench to bedside