Grupo Inditex: estrategias hacia la sostenibilidad

La preocupación por la sostenibilidad y el medio ha aumentado significativamente en los últimos años, así como la creciente conciencia de la necesidad de abordar estos desafíos de manera urgente y efectiva. Así mismo, las empresas han reconocido la importancia de asumir una mayor responsabilidad social corporativa (RSC) y mitigar el impacto de su actividad. La industria textil es considerada la segunda industria más contaminante del planeta, por lo que se planteó su estudio para este trabajo de investigación, mediante el análisis de uno de los principales líderes en la industria textil: el Grupo Inditex. El objeto de este Trabajo de Fin de Grado es proporcionar una base sólida de la RSC, en el ámbito de la sostenibilidad, así como resaltar la importancia en la gestión de personal promoviendo una cultura empresarial ética y responsable con el medio ambiente. Mediante el análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo de la compañía, se han identificado los objetivos, acciones y resultados implementados para lograr orientar su estrategia empresarial hacia la sostenibilidad, así como la implicación de la dirección de recursos humanos para alinear los esfuerzos de todos los actores hacia esta nueva visión

Intensive Training and Sex Influence Intestinal Microbiota Composition: A Preclinical Approach

Lifestyle, including regular physical activity and dietary habits, influences microbiota composition. Although some studies have demonstrated changes in microbiota composition due to moderate or high intensity training in athletes, the relationship between physical activity and changes in the intestinal bacteria is still a matter of discussion. In addition, as most studies are performed on males, the role of sexual dimorphism deserves to be explored. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to ascertain the influence of an intensive training and the rat's sex on caecal microbiota composition. For this purpose, female and male 4-week-old Wistar rats were submitted to a 4-week running training program. At the end, caecal samples were collected immediately after performing an exhaustion test to characterize the microbiota composition by 16S rRNA sequencing technique. Parallel groups of female and male sedentary (SED) rats (age matched) were included. The results showed that young female rats had a higher ability to run than males but no sex- or training-associated changes were observed on microbiota diversity and richness indexes among groups. However, the Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium spp. proportions were significantly higher in male than in female rats when comparing SED groups (p <0.05), whose proportions in males were decreased by the training program (p < 0.05 vs. SED). On the contrary, female SED rats showed a higher proportion of Odoribacteraceae (belonging to Bacteroidetes), Clostridiaceae and Eubacteriaceae (both Firmicutes) than in the respective male group (p < 0.05), although Eubacteriaceae proportion decreased by running (p < 0.05 vs. SED). However, training increased the proportion of the Paraeggerthella genus (Actinobacteria) in female rats with respect to its sedentary counterpart (p < 0.05). Overall, caecal microbiota composition is modified by intensive training in young rats but there are also sex-based differences that should be considered for interventional studies

Does Flavonoid Consumption Improve Exercise Performance? Is It Related to Changes in the Immune System and Inflammatory Biomarkers? A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies since 2005

Flavonoids are attracting increasing attention due to their antioxidant, cardioprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Nevertheless, little is known about their role in exercise performance in association with immune function. This systematic review firstly aimed to shed light on the ergogenic potential of flavonoids. A search strategy was run using SCOPUS database. The returned studies were screened by prespecified eligibility criteria, including intervention lasting at least one week and performance objectively quantified, among others. Fifty-one studies (54 articles) met the inclusion criteria, involving 1288 human subjects, either physically untrained or trained. Secondly, we aimed to associate these studies with the immune system status. Seventeen of the selected studies (18 articles) assessed changes in the immune system. The overall percentage of studies reporting an improved exercise performance following flavonoid supplementation was 37%, the proportion being 25% when considering quercetin, 28% for flavanol-enriched extracts, and 54% for anthocyanins enriched extracts. From the studies reporting an enhanced performance, only two, using anthocyanin supplements, focused on the immune system and found certain anti-inflammatory effects of these flavonoids. These results suggest that flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, may exert beneficial effects for athletes' performances, although further studies are encouraged to establish the optimal dosage and to clarify their impact on immune status

Alteractions in the mucosal immune system by a chronic exhausting exercise in Wistar rats

Exhausting exercise can disturb immune and gastrointestinal functions. Nevertheless, the impact of it on mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue has not been studied in depth. Here, we aim to establish the effects of an intensive training and exhausting exercise on the mucosal immunity of rats and to approach the mechanisms involved. Rats were submitted to a high-intensity training consisting of running in a treadmill 5 days per week for 5 weeks, involving 2 weekly exhaustion tests. At the end, samples were obtained before (T), immediately after (TE) and 24 h after (TE24) an additional final exhaustion test. The training programme reduced the salivary production of immunoglobulin A, impaired the tight junction proteins' gene expression and modified the mesenteric lymph node lymphocyte composition and function, increasing the ratio between Tαβ+ and B lymphocytes, reducing their proliferation capacity and enhancing their interferon-γ secretion. As a consequence of the final exhaustion test, the caecal IgA content increased, while it impaired the gut zonula occludens expression and enhanced the interleukin-2 and interferon-γ secretion. Our results indicate that intensive training for 5 weeks followed or not by an additional exhaustion disrupts the mucosalassociated lymphoid tissue and the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in rats

Changes in lymphocyte composition and functionality after intensive training and exhausting exercise in rats

Exhausting exercise can have a deleterious effect on the immune system. Nevertheless, the impact of exercise intensity on lymphocyte composition and functionality remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to establish the influence of intensive training on lymphoid tissues (blood, thymus, and spleen) in Wistar rats. Two intensive training programs were performed: a short program, running twice a day for 2 weeks and ending with a final exhaustion test (S-TE group), and a longer program, including two exhaustion tests plus three runs per week for 5 weeks. After this last training program, samples were obtained 24 h after a regular training session (T group), immediately after an additional exhaustion test (TE group) and 24 h later (TE24 group). The composition of lymphocytes in the blood, thymus, and spleen, the function of spleen cells and serum immunoglobulins were determined. In the blood, only the TE group modified lymphocyte proportions. Mature thymocytes' proportions decreased in tissues obtained just after exhaustion. There was a lower percentage of spleen NK and NKT cells after the longer training program. In these rats, the T group showed a reduced lymphoproliferative activity, but it was enhanced immediately after the final exhaustion. Cytokine secretion was modified after the longer training (T group), which decreased IFN-g and IL-10 secretion but increased that of IL-6. Higher serum IgG concentrations after the longer training program were detected. In conclusion, the intensive training for 5 weeks changed the lymphocyte distribution among primary and secondary lymphoid tissues and modified their function

Uridine Prevents Negative Effects of OXPHOS Xenobiotics on Dopaminergic Neuronal Differentiation

Neuronal differentiation appears to be dependent on oxidative phosphorylation capacity. Several drugs inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and might be detrimental for neuronal differentiation. Some pregnant women take these medications during their first weeks of gestation when fetal nervous system is being developed. These treatments might have later negative consequences on the offspring’s health. To analyze a potential negative effect of three widely used medications, we studied in vitro dopaminergic neuronal differentiation of cells exposed to pharmacologic concentrations of azidothymidine for acquired immune deficiency syndrome; linezolid for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; and atovaquone for malaria. We also analyzed the dopaminergic neuronal differentiation in brains of fetuses from pregnant mice exposed to linezolid. The drugs reduced the in vitro oxidative phosphorylation capacity and dopaminergic neuronal differentiation. This differentiation process does not appear to be affected in the prenatally exposed fetus brain. Nevertheless, the global DNA methylation in fetal brain was significantly altered, perhaps linking an early exposure to a negative effect in older life. Uridine was able to prevent the negative effects on in vitro dopaminergic neuronal differentiation and on in vivo global DNA methylation. Uridine could be used as a protective agent against oxidative phosphorylation-inhibiting pharmaceuticals provided during pregnancy when dopaminergic neuronal differentiation is taking place

Influence of hesperidin on systemic immunity of rats following an intensive training and exhausting exercise

Intensive training and exhausting exercise can disrupt innate and acquired immunity. The flavanone hesperidin has shown immunomodulatory properties in physiological and some pathological conditions, and positive e ects on exercise-induced oxidative stress. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether it also prevents exhausting exercise-induced immune alterations. The aim of this study was to establish the e ect of oral hesperidin supplementation on the systemic immune system in rats following an intensive training and exhausting exercise. For this purpose, female Wistar rats were randomized into an intensive training group or a sedentary group. Intensive training was induced by running in a treadmill 5 days per week (including two exhausting tests) for five weeks. Throughout the training period, 200 mg/kg of hesperidin or vehicle was administered by oral gavage three times per week. At the end, blood, thymus, spleen and macrophages were collected before, immediately after and 24 h after an additional final exhaustion test. Hesperidin supplementation enhanced natural killer cell cytotoxicity and the proportion of phagocytic monocytes, attenuated the secretion of cytokines by stimulated macrophages, prevented the leukocytosis induced by exhaustion and increased the proportion of T helper cells in the thymus, blood and spleen. These results suggest that hesperidin can prevent exhausting exercise-induced immune alteration

Protective effect of a cocoa-enriched diet on oxidative stress induced by intensive acute exercise in rats

Intensive acute exercise can induce oxidative stress, leading to muscle damage and immune function impairment. Cocoa diet could prevent this oxidative stress and its consequences on immunity. Our aim was to assess the effect of a cocoa-enriched diet on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by peritoneal macrophages, blood immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, leukocyte counts, and the physical performance of rats submitted to an intensive acute exercise, as well as to elucidate the involvement of cocoa fiber in such effects. For this purpose, Wistar rats were fed either a standard diet, i.e., a diet containing 10% cocoa (C10), or a diet containing 5% cocoa fiber (CF) for 25 days. Then, half of the rats of each diet ran on a treadmill until exhaustion, and 16 h later, the samples were obtained. Both C10 and CF diets significantly prevented the increase in ROS production. However, neither the cocoa diet or the cocoa fiber-enriched diet prevented the decrease in serum IgG induced by acute exercise. Therefore, although the cocoa-enriched diet was able to prevent the excessive oxidative stress induced by intensive exercise, this was not enough to avoid the immune function impairment due to exercise

A cocoa diet can partially attenuate the alterations in microbiota and mucosal immunity induced by a single session of intensive exercise in rats

Background: Following intensive sports events, a higher rate of upper respiratory tract infections and the appearance of gastrointestinal symptomatology have been reported. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a cocoa-enriched diet on the cecal microbiota and mucosal immune system of rats submitted to high-intensity acute exercise, as well as to elucidate the involvement of cocoa fiber in such effects. Methods: Wistar rats were fed either a standard diet, a diet containing 10% cocoa providing 5% fiber and a diet containing only 5% cocoa fiber. After 25 days, half of the rats of each diet performed an exhaustion running test. Sixteen hours later, samples were obtained to assess, among others, the cecal microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) composition, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and Peyer's patches (PPs) lymphocyte composition, and immunoglobulin (Ig) content in salivary glands. Results: The intake of cocoa, partially due to its fiber content, improved the SCFA production, prevented some changes in PPs and in MLNs lymphocyte composition and also decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Cocoa diet, contrary to cocoa fiber, did not prevent the lower salivary IgM induced by exercise. Conclusion: A cocoa dietary intake can partially attenuate the alterations in microbiota and mucosal immunity induced by a single session of intensive exercise

Oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction modifies the cell secretome

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation disorders are extremely heterogeneous conditions. Their clinical and genetic variability makes the identification of reliable and specific biomarkers very challenging. Until now, only a few studies have focused on the effect of a defective oxidative phosphorylation functioning on the cell’s secretome, although it could be a promising approach for the identification and pre-selection of potential circulating biomarkers for mitochondrial diseases. Here, we review the insights obtained from secretome studies with regard to oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction, and the biomarkers that appear, so far, to be promising to identify mitochondrial diseases. We propose two new biomarkers to be taken into account in future diagnostic trials