Nutritional Controlled Preparation and Administration of Different Tomato Purées Indicate Increase of β-Carotene and Lycopene Isoforms,and of Antioxidant Potential in Human Blood Bioavailability: A Pilot Study

The isoforms of lycopene, carotenoids, and their derivatives including precursors of vitamin A are compounds relevant for preventing chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Tomatoes are a major source of these compounds. However, cooking and successive metabolic processes determine the bioavailability of tomatoes in human nutrition. To evaluate the effect of acute/chronic cooking procedures on the bioavailability of lycopene and carotene isoforms in human plasma, we measured the blood levels of these compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential in volunteers after a meal containing two different types of tomato sauce (rustic or strained). Using a randomized cross-over administration design, healthy volunteers were studied, and the above indicated compounds were determined by HPLC. The results indicate an increased bioavailability of the estimated compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential with both types of tomato purée and the subsequently derived sauces (the increase was greater with strained purée). This study sheds light on the content of nutrient precursors of vitamin A and other antioxidant compounds derived from tomatoes cooked with different strategies. Lastly, our study indicates that strained purée should be preferred over rustic purée.     

Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy as a Model of Food Allergies

Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies in infants, and its prevalence has increased over recent years. In the present paper, we focus on CMA as a model of food allergies in children. Understanding the diagnostic features of CMA is essential in order to manage patients with this disorder, guide the use of an elimination diet, and find the best moment to start an oral food challenge (OFC) and liberalize the diet. To date, no shared tolerance markers for the diagnosis of food allergy have been identified, and OFC remains the gold standard. Recently, oral immunotherapy (OIT) has emerged as a new therapeutic strategy and has changed the natural history of CMA. Before this, patients had to strictly avoid the food allergen, resulting in a decline in quality of life and subsequent nutritional, social, and psychological impairments. Thanks to the introduction of OIT, the passive approach involving rigid exclusion has changed to a proactive one. Both the heterogeneity in the diagnostic process among the studies and the variability of OIT data limit the comprehension of the real epidemiology of CMA, and, consequentially, its natural history. Therefore, well-planned randomized controlled trials are needed to standardize CMA diagnosis, prevention, and treatment strategies.     

Vascular Effects of the Polyphenolic Nutraceutical Supplement Taurisolo®: Focus on the Protection of the Endothelial Function

Preservation of vascular endothelium integrity and functionality represents an unmet medical need. Indeed, endothelial dysfunction leads to decreased nitric oxide biosynthesis, which is prodromic of hypertension and hypercoagulability. In this panorama, the nutraceutical supplement Taurisolo^®, a polyphenolic extract from Aglianico cultivar grape, rich in catechin and procyanidins, was evaluated as a vasoprotective, vasorelaxing, anti-hypertensive and anti-coagulant agent in: cell lines, isolated vessels, in vivo models of chronic hypertension and hypercoagulability, and in clinical tests of endothelial reactivity. Taurisolo^® demonstrated to fully protect vascular cell viability from oxidative stimulus at 100 µg/mL and evoke vasorelaxing effects (Emax = 80.6% ± 1.9 and pEC50 = 1.19 ± 0.03) by activation of the Sirtuins-AMPK-pathway. Moreover, Taurisolo^®, chronically administered at 20 mg/Kg/die in in vivo experiments, inhibited the onset of cardiac hypertrophy (heart weight/rat weight = 3.96 ± 0.09 vs. 4.30 ± 0.03), hypercoagulability (decrease of fibrinogen vs. control: p < 0.01) and hypertension (mean of Psys: 200 ± 2 vs. control 234 ± 2 mmHg) and improved endothelial function (Emax = 88.9% ± 1.5 vs. control 59.6% ± 3.6; flow-mediated dilation in healthy volunteers after 400 mg twice daily for 8 weeks vs. baseline: p = 0.019). In conclusion, Taurisolo^® preserves the vascular function against ox-inflamm-ageing process and the consequent cardiovascular accidents.     

The Application of Creatine Supplementation in Medical Rehabilitation

Numerous health conditions affecting the musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and nervous systems can result in physical dysfunction, impaired performance, muscle weakness, and disuse-induced atrophy. Due to its well-documented anabolic potential, creatine monohydrate has been investigated as a supplemental agent to mitigate the loss of muscle mass and function in a variety of acute and chronic conditions. A review of the literature was conducted to assess the current state of knowledge regarding the effects of creatine supplementation on rehabilitation from immobilization and injury, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiopulmonary disease, and other muscular disorders. Several of the findings are encouraging, showcasing creatine’s potential efficacy as a supplemental agent via preservation of muscle mass, strength, and physical function; however, the results are not consistent. For multiple diseases, only a few creatine studies with small sample sizes have been published, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Rationale for discordant findings is further complicated by differences in disease pathologies, intervention protocols, creatine dosing and duration, and patient population. While creatine supplementation demonstrates promise as a therapeutic aid, more research is needed to fill gaps in knowledge within medical rehabilitation.     

Association between Reduced Serum Zinc and Diastolic Dysfunction in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Diastolic dysfunction is an emerging challenge among hemodialysis (HD) patients, and the associations between serum zinc with echocardiographic parameters and diastolic function remain uncertain. A total of 185 maintenance HD patients were stratified by the tertiles of serum zinc level to compare their clinical characteristics and echocardiography. Correlations of serum zinc levels with echocardiographic parameters were examined using Pearson’s analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the determinants of E/e’ ratio >15 and left atrial volume index (LAVI) > 34 mL/m², both indicators of diastolic dysfunction. Patients belonging to the first tertile of serum zinc level had a significantly higher E/e’ ratio and LAVI. Serum zinc levels were negatively correlated with E (r = −0.204, p = 0.005), E/e’ ratio (r = −0.217, p = 0.003), and LAVI (r = −0.197, p = 0.007). In a multivariate analysis, older age, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and lower serum zinc levels (OR = 0.974, 95% CI = 0.950–0.999, p = 0.039) were significantly associated with E/e’ ratio >15. Furthermore, diabetes and lower serum zinc levels (OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.958–0.999, p = 0.041) were significantly associated with LAVI >34 mL/m². Reduced serum zinc level was significantly associated with diastolic dysfunction among HD patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate whether zinc supplementation can attenuate cardiac dysfunction in maintenance HD patients.     

Habitual Dietary Intake Affects the Altered Pattern of Gut Microbiome by Acarbose in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of this research was to reveal the characteristics of gut microbiome altered by acarbose intervention in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its possible association with habitual dietary intake. Eighteen patients with T2D were administered acarbose for four weeks. The abundances of two major phyla, namely Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, were reciprocally changed accompanied by the acarbose intervention. There were also significant changes in the abundances of ten genera, including the greater abundance of Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, and Lactobacillus and the lower abundance of Bacteroides in the group after the intervention than that before the intervention. Hierarchical clustering of habitual dietary intake was performed based on the pattern of changes in the gut microbiota and were classified into distinct three clusters. Cluster I consisted of sucrose, cluster II mainly included fat intake, and cluster III mainly included carbohydrate intake. Moreover, the amount of change in Faecalibacterium was positively correlated with the intake of rice, but negatively correlated with the intake of bread. The intake of potato was negatively correlated with the amount of change in Akkermansia and Subdoligranulum. Acarbose altered the composition of gut microbiome in Japanese patients with T2D, which might be linked to the habitual dietary intake.     

The Potential Roles of Blood–Brain Barrier and Blood–Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier in Maintaining Brain Manganese Homeostasis

Manganese (Mn) is a trace nutrient necessary for life but becomes neurotoxic at high concentrations in the brain. The brain is a “privileged” organ that is separated from systemic blood circulation mainly by two barriers. Endothelial cells within the brain form tight junctions and act as the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which physically separates circulating blood from the brain parenchyma. Between the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the choroid plexus (CP), which is a tissue that acts as the blood–CSF barrier (BCB). Pharmaceuticals, proteins, and metals in the systemic circulation are unable to reach the brain and spinal cord unless transported through either of the two brain barriers. The BBB and the BCB consist of tightly connected cells that fulfill the critical role of neuroprotection and control the exchange of materials between the brain environment and blood circulation. Many recent publications provide insights into Mn transport in vivo or in cell models. In this review, we will focus on the current research regarding Mn metabolism in the brain and discuss the potential roles of the BBB and BCB in maintaining brain Mn homeostasis.     

Characterization of an Agarophyton chilense Oleoresin Containing PPARγ Natural Ligands with Insulin-Sensitizing Effects in a C57Bl/6J Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Obesity and Antioxidant Activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

The biomedical potential of the edible red seaweed Agarophyton chilense (formerly Gracilaria chilensis) has not been explored. Red seaweeds are enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids and eicosanoids, which are known natural ligands of the PPARγ nuclear receptor. PPARγ is the molecular target of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), drugs used as insulin sensitizers to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Medical use of TZDs is limited due to undesired side effects, a problem that has triggered the search for selective PPARγ modulators (SPPARMs) without the TZD side effects. We produced Agarophyton chilense oleoresin (Gracilex^®), which induces PPARγ activation without inducing adipocyte differentiation, similar to SPPARMs. In a diet-induced obesity model of male mice, we showed that treatment with Gracilex^® improves insulin sensitivity by normalizing altered glucose and insulin parameters. Gracilex^® is enriched in palmitic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid, and lipophilic antioxidants such as tocopherols and β-carotene. Accordingly, Gracilex^® possesses antioxidant activity in vitro and increased antioxidant capacity in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans. These findings support the idea that Gracilex^® represents a good source of natural PPARγ ligands and antioxidants with the potential to mitigate metabolic disorders. Thus, its nutraceutical value in humans warrants further investigation.     

How different health literacy dimensions influences health and well‐being among men and women: The mediating role of health behaviours

BackgroundHealth literacy, the ability to access, understand, evaluate and apply health information, was found to contribute to positive health outcomes, possibly via promoting healthy behaviours. However, the specific pathways linking different health literacy skills to health and well‐being have remained unclear.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey with structural questionnaires was administered among 2236 adults in Hong Kong (mean age = 46.10 ± 19.05). Health literacy was measured by HLS‐Asian‐47. Participants'' physical conditions and subjective well‐being were predicted by health literacy and health behaviours with structural modelling path analysis.ResultsHealth literacy in finding and understanding information showed a direct effect on enhancing physical health, while applying information capacity had an indirect positive effect via promoting health behaviours, which was moderated by sex. Only among women, this indirect effect predicting fewer physical symptoms and better well‐being was significant.ConclusionsDifferent health literacy dimensions showed distinct direct and indirect pathways in influencing health for men and women. Based on the findings, skill trainings should be developed to enhance both gender''s abilities of finding and understanding health information, while the ability of applying health information should also be improved for modifying lifestyle and promoting health, particularly for women.Patient or Public ContributionTwo thousand and two hundred thirty‐six adults from different districts of Hong Kong participated in the study, and responded to questions on health literacy, behaviours and health status.