Can the Brazilian caffeine expectancy questionnaires differentiate the CYP1A2 and ADORA2A gene polymorphisms? : an exploratory study with Brazilian athletes

This study investigated the ability of the Brazilian Caffeine Expectancy Questionnaire (CaffEQ-BR), full and brief versions, to differentiate genetic profiles regarding the polymorphisms of the CYP1A2 (rs 762551) and ADORA2A (rs 5751876) genes in a cohort of Brazilian athletes. Onehundred and fifty participants were genotyped for CYP1A2 and ADORA2A. After the recruitment and selection phase, 71 (90% male and 10% female, regular caffeine consumers) completed the CaffEQ-BR questionnaires and a self-report online questionnaire concerning sociodemographic data, general health status, and frequency of caffeine consumption. The order of completion of the CaffEQBR questionnaires was counterbalanced. The concordance between the full and brief versions of the CaffEQ-BR was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). To determine the discriminatory capacity of the questionnaires for genotype, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied for sensitivity and specificity (significance level of 5%). Mean caffeine intake was 244 161 mg day1. The frequency of AA genotypes for CYP1A2 was 47.9% (n = 34) and 52.1% (n = 37) for C-allele carriers (AC and CC). The frequencies of TT genotypes for ADORA2A were 22.7% (n = 15) and 77.3% (n = 51) for C-allele carriers (TC and CC). All CaffEQ-BR factors, for the full and brief versions, were ICCs > 0.75, except for factor 6 (anxiety/negative effects; ICC = 0.60), and presented ROC curve values from 0.464 to 0.624 and 0.443 to 0.575 for CYP1A2 and ADORA2A. Overall, the CaffEQ-BR (full and brief versions) did not show discriminatory capacity for CYP1A2 and ADORA2A gene polymorphisms. In conclusion, the CaffEQ-BR was not able to differentiate genotypes for the CYP1A2 or ADORA2A genes in this group of Brazilian athletes

14-weeks combined exercise epigenetically modulated 118 genes of menopausal women with prediabetes

Background: Pre-diabetes precedes Diabetes Mellitus (DM) disease and is a critical period for hyperglycemia treatment, especially for menopausal women, considering all metabolic alterations due to hormonal changes. Recently, the literature has demonstrated the role of physical exercise in epigenetic reprogramming to modulate the gene expression patterns of metabolic conditions, such as hyperglycemia, and prevent DM development. In the present study, we hypothesized that physical exercise training could modify the epigenetic patterns of women with poor glycemic control. Methods: 48 post-menopause women aged 60.3 ± 4.5 years were divided according to their fasting blood glucose levels into two groups: Prediabetes Group, PG (n=24), and Normal Glucose Group, NGG (n=24). All participants performed 14 weeks of physical exercise three times a week. The Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip measured the participants’ Different Methylated Regions (DMRs). Results: Before the intervention, the PG group had 12 DMRs compared to NGG. After the intervention, five DMRs remained different. Interestingly, when comparing the PG group before and after training, 118 DMRs were found. The enrichment analysis revealed that the genes were related to different biological functions such as energy metabolism, cell differentiation, and tumor suppression. Conclusion: Physical exercise is a relevant alternative in treating hyperglycemia and preventing DM in post-menopause women with poor glycemic control

Older postmenopausal women with lower lean mass have hypermethylated sites in the PI3K-Akt pathway

Introduction: The decrease in lean mass is directly related to the loss of independence, muscle strength, and worse quality of life over the years. Although the genetic determinants of muscle mass were well recognized, recent literature has been uncovering new epigenetic factors affecting the state of muscular tissue. This study aimed to verify differences in the DNA methylation profile among Brazilian postmenopausal women aged 50–70 years according to the lean mass evaluation.Methods: A cross-sectional study comprised 40 women aged 50–70 years. After K-means cluster analysis the 40 participants were divided into two groups, the Lower Lean Mass group with 20 participants (61.1 ± 4.6 years) and the Higher Lean Mass group with 20 participants (60.7 ± 3.2 years). Lean mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray emission densitometry (DEXA). The participants' DNA was extracted using the Salting Out technique and subsequently, the Illumina 850k EPIC Infinium Methylation BeadChip was performed to obtain methylation data.Results: We obtained 1,913 differentially methylated sites (p ≤ 0.005 of β > 5% and β < −5%) in a total of 979 genes between groups (p ≤ 0.005; −5% > β > 5%). In addition, the PI3K-Akt pathway had the greatest power of significance with an FDR of 4.6 × 10–3.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a differentiation between specific sites of different genes, which have essential functions in body composition and energy metabolism, supporting future studies that aim to relate lean mass with epigenetics

Optimising blood glucose control with portioned meal box in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a randomised control trial

BackgroundThe impact of dietary factors on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is well established. However, the effectiveness of transforming portion control into a practical innovation for glycaemic control in T2DM has not yet been established for counselling in nutrition. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of general counselling in nutrition (GCN) and a portioned meal box (PMB) on fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and body composition.MethodsA randomised, parallel intervention trial was conducted over 12 weeks, with GCN: carbohydrate portion control concept by using food exchange lists (n = 25) and PMB: portioned meal box was set by energy requirements (n = 25).ResultsBoth GCN and PMB demonstrated reductions in HbA1c levels at the 6th and 12th weeks compared to baseline. However, no significant difference in HbA1c was observed between GCN and PMB at either the 6th or 12th week. Using PMB at least four times a week significantly decreased HbA1c during the intervention period (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001 for weeks 6 and 12 when compared with baseline, respectively). Changes in body composition were observed: body weight decrease in PMB only, body fat decrease and constant muscle mass in both groups. Both methods tended to relieve hunger and increased satiety in both groups. The satisfaction evaluation showed that participants preferred to use PMB over GCN (p = 0.001). Additionally, participants consumed less energy, carbohydrate and fat in PMB (p = 0.001, p = 0.019, and p = 0.001, respectively) and less energy and fat in GCN (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001, respectively).ConclusionA better diet, either through GCN or PMB, can play an important role in improving dietary intake compliance and controlling blood glucose

Influência da infecção pelo HIV e do uso da terapia antirretroviral nas concentrações de selênio, selenometionina e proteção antioxidante

The antioxidant components deficiencies may hasten the progression of HIV disease increasing the oxidative stress, which has been associated with both use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV infection. Selenium has an important role in HIV infection mainly due to its involvement in oxidative stress regulation. Its beneficial effects are dependent on their chemical form and concentration, highlighting the importance of selenium speciation. The present study aimed to evaluate whether HIV infection and ART time of use are associated with increased oxidative damage, low concentrations of selenium and its metabolites, and reduced antioxidant protection of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. This is a cross-sectional study consisted of 120 individuals that were classified as: Control Group (GC), HIV negatives, n=40; Group 1 (G1), HIV positives under ART for more than 5 years, n=40; and Group 2 (G2), HIV positives under ART for less than 5 years, n=40. Plasma selenium, erythrocyte selenium and selemethionine were evaluated. The antioxidant parameters were glutathione concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity. Oxidative stress was measured by malondialdehyde. In addition, we evaluated the dietary intake and anthropometry. The current analysis indicated that the subjects in this study had adequate selenium ingestion and the absence of plasma selenium deficiency was associated with the use of ART. We observed that HIV infection and use of ART influence oxidative stress, which in turn promotes an increase of the expression of antioxidant defenses, measured by glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. About selenomethionine, it is possible that its concentration increase is related to the chemical form of the ingested selenium and that the use of ART contributes to its decrease. However, further studies are necessary to understand the influence of ...As deficiências nos compostos antioxidantes podem acelerar a progressão da doença por HIV influenciando no aumento do estresse oxidativo, que tem sido relacionado tanto com o uso da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) quanto com a própria infecção pelo HIV. O selênio tem um papel importante na infecção pelo HIV, sobretudo devido ao seu envolvimento na regulação do estresse oxidativo. Seus efeitos são dependentes da sua forma química e concentração, destacando-se a importância da especiação química. O presente estudo buscou avaliar se a infecção pelo HIV e o tempo de uso da TARV estão associados com maior dano oxidativo, baixas concentrações de selênio e seus metabólitos e uma menor proteção antioxidante da glutationa e da glutationa peroxidase. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, constituído por 120 indivíduos de ambos os sexos agrupados em: Grupo Controle (GC), HIV negativo, n=40; Grupo 1 (G1) HIV positivos em uso de TARV há mais de 5 anos, n=40; e Grupo 2 (G2), HIV positivos em uso de TARV há menos de 5 anos, n=40. Foram avaliados o selênio plasmático, selênio eritrocitário e a selenometionina. Os parâmetros antioxidantes foram a concentração da glutationa e a atividade da glutationa peroxidase. O estresse oxidativo foi medido por meio do malondialdeído. Avaliou-se ainda a ingestão alimentar e antropometria. A análise atual indicou que os indivíduos do presente estudo possuem a ingestão de selênio adequada e que a ausência de deficiência de selênio plasmático está associada ao uso da TARV. Foi observado que a infecção pelo HIV e o uso da TARV influenciam no estresse oxidativo, que por sua vez promove um aumento na expressão das defesas antioxidantes, medidas pela glutationa e glutationa peroxidase. Em relação a selenometionina, é possível que o aumento na sua concentração esteja relacionado à forma química...Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

14-Week exercise training modifies the DNA methylation levels at gene sites in non-Alzheimer's disease women aged 50 to 70 years

Exercise training emerges as a key strategy in lifestyle modification, capable of reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to risk factors such as age, family history, genetics and low level of education associated with AD. We aim to analyze the effect of a 14-week combined exercise training (CT) on the methylation of genes associated with AD in non-alzheimer's disease women. CT sessions lasted 60 min, occurring three times a week for 14 weeks. Forty non-Alzheimer's disease women aged 50 to 70 years (60.7 ± 4.1 years) with a mean height of 1.6 ± 0.1 m, mean weight of 73.12 ± 9.0 kg and a mean body mass index of 29.69 ± 3.5 kg/m2, underwent two physical assessments: pre and post the 14 weeks. DNA methylation assays utilized the EPIC Infinium Methylation BeadChip from Illumina. We observed that 14 weeks of CT led to reductions in systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.017) blood pressure and improved motor skills post-intervention. Among 25 genes linked to AD, CT induced differentially methylated sites in 12 genes, predominantly showing hypomethylated sites (negative β values). Interestingly, despite hypomethylated sites, some genes exhibited hypermethylated sites (positive β values), such as ABCA7, BDNF, and WWOX. A 14-week CT regimen was adequate to induce differential methylation in 12 CE-related genes in healthy older women, alongside improvements in motor skills and blood pressure. In conclusion, this study suggest that combined training can be a strategy to improve physical fitness in older individuals, especially able to induce methylation alterations in genes sites related to development of AD. It is important to highlight that training should act as protective factor in older adults.</p

Ability of Hypocaloric Diets to Change Nutrient–Phyla Associations after 8 Weeks of Intervention

Background: Previous studies have suggested that changes in the composition of intestinal microbiota may be influenced by dietary quality. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of a hypocaloric diet on the relationship between microbiota and clinical/dietary variables. Methods: This was a longitudinal study. Ten women with obesity (Obese Group, ObG) participated in an 8-week home-based hypocaloric diet intervention. Anthropometric, dietary intake, biochemical, and gut microbiota assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. Microbiota relative abundance was determined using real-time PCR in triplicate. Results: In the ObG, the hypocaloric diet intervention led to significant weight loss (before: 119.5 ± 10.3 kg; after: 114.9 ± 10.2 kg; p = 0.003). Following the intervention, positive correlations were observed between nutrient intake and phyla composition: Actinobacteria phylum with fibers (r = 0.787; p = 0.012), Firmicutes phylum with proteins (r = 0.736; p = 0.024), and Proteobacteria phylum with lipids (r = 0.669; p = 0.049). Conclusions: The hypocaloric diet intervention improved health parameters associated with obesity and its comorbidities, demonstrating associations between nutrient intake and specific phyla