Adipose Tissue Protects against Hepatic Steatosis in Male Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet plus Liquid Fructose: Sex-Related Differences

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a sexual dimorphic disease, with adipose tissue playing an essential role. Our previous work showed that female rats fed a high-fat high-fructose diet devoid of cholesterol (HFHFr) developed simple hepatic steatosis dissociated from obesity. This study assessed the impact of the HFHFr diet on the male rat metabolism compared with data obtained for female rats. A total of 16 Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were fed either a control (standard rodent chow and water) or HFHFr (high-fat diet devoid of cholesterol, plus 10% fructose in drinking water) diet for 3 months. Unlike female rats, and despite similar increases in energy consumption, HFHFr males showed increased adiposity and hyperleptinemia. The expression of hormone-sensitive lipase in the subcutaneous white adipose tissue was enhanced, leading to high free fatty acid and glycerol serum levels. HFHFr males presented hypertriglyceridemia, but not hepatic steatosis, partially due to enhanced liver PPARα-related fatty acid β-oxidation and the VLDL-promoting effect of leptin. In conclusion, the SD rats showed a sex-related dimorphic response to the HFHFr diet. Contrary to previous results for HFHFr female rats, the male rats were able to expand the adipose tissue, increase fatty acid catabolism, or export it as VLDL, avoiding liver lipid deposition. Keywords: adipose tissue; fructose; high-fat diet; leptin; non-esterified fatty acids

Metabolic Signatures Associated with Severity in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

The clinical evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia is poorly understood. Identifying the metabolic pathways that are altered early with viral infection and their association with disease severity is crucial to understand COVID-19 pathophysiology, and guide clinical decisions. This study aimed at assessing the critical metabolic pathways altered with disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Forty-nine hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled in a prospective, observational, single-center study in Barcelona, Spain. Demographic, clinical, and analytical data at admission were registered. Plasma samples were collected within the first 48 h following hospitalization. Patients were stratified based on the severity of their evolution as moderate (N = 13), severe (N = 10), or critical (N = 26). A panel of 221 biomarkers was measured by targeted metabolomics in order to evaluate metabolic changes associated with subsequent disease severity. Our results show that obesity, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, as well as some analytical parameters and radiological findings, were all associated with disease severity. Additionally, ceramide metabolism, tryptophan degradation, and reductions in several metabolic reactions involving nicotinamide adenine nucleotide (NAD) at inclusion were significantly associated with respiratory severity and correlated with inflammation. In summary, assessment of the metabolomic profile of COVID-19 patients could assist in disease severity stratification and even in guiding clinical decisions

Potential Role of Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds in the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) has been associated with a reduced incidence of neurodegenerative diseases and better cognitive performance. Virgin olive oil, the main source of lipids in the MD, is rich in minor phenolic components, particularly hydroxytyrosol (HT). HT potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions have attracted researchers’ attention and may contribute to neuroprotective effects credited to MD. In this review HT bioavailability and pharmacokinetics are presented prior to discussing health beneficial effects. In vitro and in vivo neuroprotective effects together with its multiple mechanisms of action are reviewed. Other microconstituents of olive oil are also considered due to their potential neuroprotective effects (oleocanthal, triterpenic acids). Finally, we discuss the potential role of HT as a therapeutic tool in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases

Metabolism of natural antioxidants: evaluation of the pathways involved in the in vivo biotransformation of tyrosol into hydroxytyrosol

Hydroxytyrosol [2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol], a potent bioactive molecule mainly present in virgin olive oil and to a lower extent in wine, is also a by-product of dopamine metabolism. In a previous clinical trial designed to assess the effects of moderate wine intake it was found that hydroxytyrosol urinary recoveries were higher than the corresponding to the dose administered, suggesting an endogenous formation. The aim of the present work was to assess new mechanisms responsible for hydroxytyrosol generation by using an array of methodologies and studies ranging from in vitro assays to in vivo experiments in animal models and humans. The mechanisms identified as being involved in the generation of hydroxytyrosol were (1) CYP2A6/CYP2D6-catalyzed tyrosol-to-hydroxytyrosol biotransformation, (2) ethanol-induced increase in tyrosol bioavailability, and (3) alteration of dopamine oxidative metabolism due to ethanol. Considering these observations, it is postulated that hydroxytyrosol may contribute significantly to the health effects derived from moderate wine intake.L’hidroxitirosol [2-(3,4-dihidroxiphenil)etanol], una potent molècula bioactiva present de forma rellevant a l’oli d’oliva verge i minoritàriament al vi, és també un producte del metabolisme de la dopamina. En un assaig clínic previ dissenyat per avaluar els efectes del consum moderat de vi es trobà que les recuperacions urinàries d’hidroxitirosol eren superiors a la dosi administrada, suggerint-ne una gènesi endògena. L’objectiu del present treball fou estudiar nous mecanismes responsables de la generació d’hidroxitirosol mitjançant diverses tècniques i estudis, des d’assajos in vitro a experiments in vivo en animals i humans. Els mecanismes involucrats a la generació d’hidroxitirosol són (1) la biotransformació de tirosol a hidroxitirosol catalitzada per CYP2A6/CYP2D6, (2) l’augment a la biodisponibilitat del tirosol induïda per l’etanol, i (3) l’alteració del metabolisme oxidatiu de la dopamina per l’etanol. Globalment, aquestes observacions donen a l’hidroxitirosol un paper clau en la comprensió dels efectes beneficiosos associats al consum moderat de vi

Metabolism of natural antioxidants: evaluation of the pathways involved in the in vivo biotransformation of tyrosol into hydroxytyrosol

Hydroxytyrosol [2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol], a potent bioactive molecule mainly present in virgin olive oil and to a lower extent in wine, is also a by-product of dopamine metabolism. In a previous clinical trial designed to assess the effects of moderate wine intake it was found that hydroxytyrosol urinary recoveries were higher than the corresponding to the dose administered, suggesting an endogenous formation. The aim of the present work was to assess new mechanisms responsible for hydroxytyrosol generation by using an array of methodologies and studies ranging from in vitro assays to in vivo experiments in animal models and humans. The mechanisms identified as being involved in the generation of hydroxytyrosol were (1) CYP2A6/CYP2D6-catalyzed tyrosol-to-hydroxytyrosol biotransformation, (2) ethanol-induced increase in tyrosol bioavailability, and (3) alteration of dopamine oxidative metabolism due to ethanol. Considering these observations, it is postulated that hydroxytyrosol may contribute significantly to the health effects derived from moderate wine intake.L’hidroxitirosol [2-(3,4-dihidroxiphenil)etanol], una potent molècula bioactiva present de forma rellevant a l’oli d’oliva verge i minoritàriament al vi, és també un producte del metabolisme de la dopamina. En un assaig clínic previ dissenyat per avaluar els efectes del consum moderat de vi es trobà que les recuperacions urinàries d’hidroxitirosol eren superiors a la dosi administrada, suggerint-ne una gènesi endògena. L’objectiu del present treball fou estudiar nous mecanismes responsables de la generació d’hidroxitirosol mitjançant diverses tècniques i estudis, des d’assajos in vitro a experiments in vivo en animals i humans. Els mecanismes involucrats a la generació d’hidroxitirosol són (1) la biotransformació de tirosol a hidroxitirosol catalitzada per CYP2A6/CYP2D6, (2) l’augment a la biodisponibilitat del tirosol induïda per l’etanol, i (3) l’alteració del metabolisme oxidatiu de la dopamina per l’etanol. Globalment, aquestes observacions donen a l’hidroxitirosol un paper clau en la comprensió dels efectes beneficiosos associats al consum moderat de vi

Modulation of Nrf2 by Olive Oil and Wine Polyphenols and Neuroprotection

Strong adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with improved cognitive function and a lower prevalence of mild cognitive impairment. Olive oil and red wine are rich sources of polyphenols which are responsible in part for the beneficial effects on cognitive functioning. Polyphenols induce endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms by modulating transcription factors such as the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). This review discusses the scientific data supporting the modulating effect of olive oil and red wine polyphenols on Nrf2 expression, and the potential health benefits associated with cognitive functioning

Potential Role of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) in the Secondary Prevention of Alzheimer Disease

Medical advances in the last decades have increased the average life expectancy, but also the incidence and prevalence of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and the most prevalent type of dementia. A plethora of different mechanisms contribute to AD, among which oxidative stress plays a key role in its development and progression. So far, there are no pharmacological treatments available and the current medications are mainly symptomatic. In the last years, dietary polyphenols have gained research attention due to their interesting biological activities, and more specifically their antioxidant properties. (-)- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a natural flavanol that has been extensively studied regarding its potential effects in AD. In this review we present the current in vitro and in vivo experimentation regarding the use of EGCG in AD. We also review the complex mechanisms of action of EGCG, not only limited to its antioxidant activity, which may explain its beneficial health effects.http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450116666150825113655This work was supported by grants, donations and agreements from Fondation Jérôme Lejeune (Paris, France), Instituto de Salud Carlos III FEDER, (PI11/00744), MINECO (SAF2010- 19434, MTM2012-38067-C02-01 and SAF2013-49129-C1- R), EU (Era Net Neuron PCIN-2013-060) co-financed by European Regional Development Fund, DIUE de la Generalitat de Catalunya (SGR 2009/1450, SGR 2014/464 SGR 2014/1125). We acknowledge support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, ‘Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2013-2017’, SEV-2012-0208.Jose Rodríguez-Morató was supported by a FI-DGR 2013 predoctoral fellowship from the Generalitat de Catalunya

Modulation of Nrf2 by olive oil and wine polyphenols and neuroprotection

Strong adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with improved cognitive function and a lower prevalence of mild cognitive impairment. Olive oil and red wine are rich sources of polyphenols which are responsible in part for the beneficial effects on cognitive functioning. Polyphenols induce endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms by modulating transcription factors such as the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). This review discusses the scientific data supporting the modulating effect of olive oil and red wine polyphenols on Nrf2 expression, and the potential health benefits associated with cognitive functioning