COVID-19 lockdown and changes of the dietary pattern and physical activity habits in a cohort of patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The COVID-19 lockdown clearly affected the lifestyle of the population and entailed changes in their daily habits, which involved potential health consequences, especially on patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to examine the impact of the lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic on both nutrition and exercise habits, as well as the psychological effects in patients with T2DM, compared to their usual diet and physical activity level previous to the complete home confinement. We also intended to analyse any potential variables that may have influenced these lifestyle modifications. A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Food Craving Questionnaire-State (FCQ-S) and Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T) were used. Our results showed an increase in vegetable, sugary food and snack consumption. An association between levels of foods cravings and snack consumption was also found. Data also showed a high percentage of physical inactivity before the COVID-19 lockdown, which was exacerbated during the home confinement. These findings emphasise the great importance to do further research with larger study samples to analyse and explore dietary habits and to develop public health policies to promote a healthy lifestyle in terms of diet and physical activity in these patients, especially after this strict period of lockdownThis work was supported by the lab of A.D., which is funded by the Spanish “Agencia Estatal de Investigación” and European FEDER Funds (PID2019-109369RB-I00). The lab of M.M. is funded by PI16-02091 and PI19-00584 (Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and TIRONET2-CM, B2017/BMD-3724 (funded by Comunidad de Madrid), co-financed by FEDER fund

Allicin neuroprotective effect during oxidative/inflammatory injury involves at1-hsp70-inos counterbalance axis

The ancestral cultures have described many therapeutic properties of garlic; therefore, it is of central interest to elucidate the molecular basis explaining this millenary empirical knowledge. Indeed, it has been demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of allicin–a phytochemical present in garlic- linked to oxidative-inflammatory modulation. Allicin improved neuronal injury by heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) regulation. Also, allicin exerts renal protection involving a possible angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1) interaction. In connection, AT1 overexpression has been recognized as a central deleterious factor in many brain diseases. However, there are no studies that evaluate AT1-Hsp70-iNOS interaction as a mechanism linked to neuroinflammation. Thus, our central aim is to evaluate if the allicin protective effect is associated with an AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis. For this study, a murine microglial cell line (BV-2) was injured with lipopolysaccharides and treated or not with allicin. Then, it was evaluated cell viability, proinflammatory cytokine levels, cellular oxidative stress, iNOS, Hsp70, and AT1 protein expression (cellular and mitochondrial fractions), nitrite levels, and protein-protein interactions. The results demonstrated that allicin could prevent neuronal injury due to a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory status mediated by an AT1-Hsp70-iNOS counterbalance axis linked to direct protein-protein interaction.Fil: Mazzei, Luciana Jorgelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz Roso, María Belén. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiología; EspañaFil: de Las Heras, Natalia. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiología; EspañaFil: Ballesteros, Sandra. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiología; EspañaFil: Torres Palazzolo, Carolina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: León Ferder. University of Miami; Estados UnidosFil: Camargo, Alejandra Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Low Phytanic Acid-Concentrated DHA Prevents Cognitive Deficit and Regulates Alzheimer Disease Mediators in an ApoE^−/− Mice Experimental Model

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia and cognitive impairment. It has been associated with a significant diminution of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in the brain. Clinical trials with DHA as a treatment in neurological diseases have shown inconsistent results. Previously, we reported that the presence of phytanic acid (PhA) in standard DHA compositions could be blunting DHA’s beneficial effects. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the effects of a low PhA-concentrated DHA and a standard PhA-concentrated DHA in Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE−/−) mice. Behavioral tests and protein expression of pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, antioxidant factors, and AD-related mediators were evaluated. Low PhA-concentrated DHA decreased Aβ, ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP), p-tau, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII), caspase 3, and catalase, and increased brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) when compared to standard PhA-concentrated DHA. Low PhA-concentrated DHA decreased interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) protein expression in ApoE−/− mice when compared to standard PhA-concentrated DHA. No significant differences were found in p22phox, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), and tau protein expression. The positive actions of a low PhA-concentrated DHA were functionally reflected by improving the cognitive deficit in the AD experimental model. Therefore, reduction of PhA content in DHA compositions could highlight a novel pathway for the neurodegeneration processes related to AD

Nanotechnology, a new paradigm in atherosclerosis treatment

La aterosclerosis, una conocida enfermedad arterial prevalente, ocasiona el deterioro progresivo de los vasos afectados provocando reducción del flujo sanguíneo con diversas complicaciones, y los síntomas suelen manifestarse en estadios avanzados de la enfermedad. En este sentido, las clásicas alternativas terapéuticas resultan insuficientes debido al carácter muchas veces irreversible del daño provocado. Por lo tanto, emerge la necesidad de implementar novedosas formas más eficaces para administrar fármacos y también el desarrollo de nuevas dianas terapéuticas que reduzcan la progresión de la lesión aterosclerótica. Además, resulta de especial interés la implementación de nuevas herramientas para la prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta patología cardiovascular, focalizando la atención en lograr un mejor control sobre el sistema inmunológico. En esta revisión se pone en relieve el conocimiento actual sobre la nanotecnología como una alternativa terapéutica potencial, moderna y prometedora, aplicada a la patología aterosclerótica, pero se advierte también sobre posibles complicaciones de su uso.Atherosclerosis, a known and prevalent disease, causes progressive deterioration of affected vessels, inducing a blood flow reduction with different complications, and its symptoms usually manifest in advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, the classic therapeutic alternatives are insufficient because the damages are many times irreversible. For this reason, there is a need to implement intelligent forms of drug administration and develop new therapeutic targets that reduce the progression of atherosclerotic lesion. The implementation of new tools for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this cardiovascular disease is of special interest, focusing our attention on achieving a more effective control of the immune system. Finally, this review highlights the latest knowledge about nanotechnology as a powerful, modern, and promising therapeutic alternative applied to atherosclerotic disease, as well as warning of the potential complications with their use.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Cs. de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación En Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz Roso, María Belén. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiología; EspañaFil: Camargo, Alejandra Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Cs. de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación En Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin