0000000000039879

AUTHOR

Pilar Codoñer-franch

0000-0002-1549-1573

Oxidant/antioxidant status in obese children compared to pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Codoner-Franch P, Pons-Morales S, Boix-Garcia L, Valls-Belles V. Oxidant/antioxidant status in obese children compared to pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) mellitus and obesity are recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A common mechanism underlying an increased risk for endothelial dysfunction in these two metabolic diseases is oxidative stress. Objective: To evaluate and compare the oxidant/antioxidant defense systems in children affected with T1D or obesity in order to determine the importance of oxidative stress before the emergence of complications. Subjects: Children with T1D (n = 20) or obesity (n = 22), without com…

research product

Infrared thermal imaging in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE. Musculoskeletal injuries occur frequently. Diagnostic tests using ionizing radiation can lead to problems for patients, and infrared thermal imaging could be useful when diagnosing these injuries. CONCLUSION. A systematic review was performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of infrared thermal imaging in patients with musculoskeletal injuries. A meta-analysis of three studies evaluating stress fractures was performed and found a lack of support for the usefulness of infrared thermal imaging in musculoskeletal injuries diagnosis.

research product

Inhibition of induced DNA oxidative damage by beers: correlation with the content of polyphenols and melanoidins.

Beers are a source of dietary flavonoids; however, there exist differences in composition, alcohol concentration, and beneficial activities. To characterize these differences, three kinds of lager beer of habitual consumption in Spain, dark, blond, and alcohol-free, were assayed for total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, and in vitro inhibitory effect on DNA oxidative damage. Furthermore, their melanoidin content and correlation with antioxidant activity were evaluated. Dark beer contained the highest total phenolic (489 +/- 52 mg/L) and melanoidin (1.49 +/- 0.02 g/L) contents with a 2-fold difference observed when compared to th…

research product

Nitric oxide production is increased in severely obese children and related to markers of oxidative stress and inflammation

Nitric oxide (NO) is the major endothelium-derived relaxing factor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate NO synthesis and metabolism in severely obese children with different degrees of metabolic risk and to ascertain their relation with the parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation.The study involved 60 obese children evaluated with respect to metabolic risk factors (MRFs) (324 MRFs and 28 ≥ 4 MRFs) and 50 normal weight children between 7 and 14 years of age. Nutritional status was assessed by clinical and anthropometric examination. MRFs (serum lipid profile, insulin resistance indexes, blood pressure) in addition to uric acid, homocysteine, leptin, and inflammatory markers …

research product

Oxidant mechanisms in childhood obesity: the link between inflammation and oxidative stress.

Evidence of obesity-induced oxidative stress in adults has emerged in the past several years, and similar evidence has been demonstrated in children more recently. The reactive species of oxygen or nitrogen can chemically alter all major classes of biomolecules by modifying their structure and function. Organisms have developed mechanisms to protect biomolecules from the deleterious effects of free radicals. These include the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as water and lipid-soluble antioxidants, such as glutathione, ascorbate (vitamin C), α-tocopherol (vitamin E), and β-carotene. Obesity creates oxidant conditions that favor the development of c…

research product

Molecular aspects of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction: Oxidative stress, microRNA, and long noncoding RNA.

Metabolic syndrome is known as a frequent precursor of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). This disease could affect 8% of the people worldwide. Given that pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and loss have central roles in the initiation and progression of the disease, the understanding of cellular and molecular pathways associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction can provide more information about the underlying pathways involved in T2D. Multiple lines evidence indicated that oxidative stress, microRNA, and long noncoding RNA play significant roles in various steps of diseases. Oxidative stress is one of the important factors involved in T2D pathogenesis. This could affect the function and surviva…

research product

Reduced retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in children with severe obesity

Summary Background Some optic nerve diseases are silent and insidious. Recently, reduced thickness of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) has been associated with increasing body mass index in adults. Objectives To investigate the association of childhood obesity with RNFL measured by optical coherence tomography imaging. Methods Ninety-seven children aged 5–14 years classified according to standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS-BMI) were included. Parameters of metabolic risk, adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin) and interleukin-6 were analyzed. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination with direct ophthalmoscopy. Evaluation of RNFL with optical coherence tom…

research product

Gut Microbiota and Risk of Developing Celiac Disease

Gut microbiota shapes the development of the mucosal immune system and may provide protection against immune-mediated diseases. Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition triggered by dietary gluten proteins, recently associated with gut microbiota alterations in cross-sectional studies comparing patients and controls. Whether or not these differences are causally related to the disease has yet to be elucidated, but evaluation of specific bacteria isolated from CD patients in experimental models suggests that they can promote an adverse response to dietary gluten, whereas other commensal bacteria can be protective. Genetic and environmental factors associated with increased CD …

research product

Elevated advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) indicate metabolic risk in severely obese children.

Abstract Background and aims The assessment of oxidative stress may aid in the identification of subsequent metabolic risk in obese children. The objective of this study was to determine whether the plasma level of advanced oxidation protein products, analyzed with a recently proposed modified assay that involves a delipidation step (mAOPPs), was related to metabolic risk factors (MRFs) in severely obese children. Methods and results The plasma levels of mAOPPs were determined by spectrophotometry in 54 severely obese and 44 healthy children. We also measured lipid peroxidation biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, malondialdehyde, and 8-isoprotane F 2α ) and sulfhydryl group…

research product

New factors of cardiometabolic risk in severely obese children: influence of pubertal status

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the utility of new biochemical markers to assess cardiometabolic risk in severely obese children and adolescents. A total of 107 subjects aged 7 to 14 years, were clinically assessed and anthropometric measures and percentage of fat mass by single frequency bioimpedance analysis were recorded. Of these, 44 were non-overweight and 63 severely obese (body mass index Z-score >2.5) which were stratified by Tanner stages. To estimate the metabolic risk the following variables were considered for analysis: Waist circumference/height >0.5, fasting glucose >100 mg/dL, triglycerides >110 mg/dL, HDL-C 95th percentile for age and gender. Fasting insuli…

research product

LSC Abstract – Increased oxidative stress leads to telomere shortening in children with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Background: Oxidative stress (OS) is involved in the pathophysiology of AATD (Escribano A. et al. Thorax 2015; 70:82-3). In addition, it has been shown that OS accelerates telomere shortening which is associated to higher emphysema risk in COPD patients. Rationale and aims: Since AATD is characterised by chronic OS, we hypothesise that telomere shortening would be accelerated in AATD patients and would be associated with higher risk of developing lung disease. This study is aimed to assess the OS profile, the enzymatic antioxidant defence mechanisms and telomere length (TL) in children with AATD and to study its association with AAT phenotypes. Methods: OS parameters, the activity of the ma…

research product

Melatonin Levels in Children with Obesity Are Associated with Metabolic Risk and Inflammatory Parameters

Melatonin, the hormone of circadian rhythm regulation, is involved in the modulation of mitochondrial activity through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Alteration of circadian rhythms such as sleep is related to obesity and metabolic pathogenesis in adulthood, but studies during childhood are scarce. The present study investigated the association of melatonin with metabolic and inflammatory markers in children with (n = 113) and without obesity (n = 117). Melatonin was measured in saliva four and two hours before bedtime, and after one hour of sleep. Cardiometabolic factors, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, immune markers (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, plasminogen…

research product

Effects of alcohol-free beer on lipid profile and parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation in elderly women

We assessed the influence of alcohol-free beer on factors implicated in atherosclerosis, such as lipid profile, oxidative stress parameters, and proinflammatory cytokines, in postmenopausal women, a population particularly at risk for atherosclerotic disease.The study was carried out in 29 nuns, 58 to 73 y old, who live in a convent with a disciplined, regular, and homogeneous lifestyle. The nuns maintained their habits and diet routine, but their meals were supplemented with 500 mL/d of alcohol-free beer (0.0%) divided into two doses over a 45-d period. Lipid profile, inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, interleukins 1 and 6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and parameters of o…

research product

Oxidative markers in children with severe obesity following low-calorie diets supplemented with mandarin juice

Aim:  To evaluate the effect of supplementing a hypocaloric diet with mandarin juice, a food with a high content of antioxidants (vitamin C, flavonoids and carotenoids), on biomarkers of oxidant/antioxidant status of severe obese children. Methods:  Forty obese children were randomized into two groups pair-wise in a 4-week controlled intervention study. Both groups followed a hypocaloric diet. One group received additionally a supplementation of 500 mL of 100% mandarin juice daily. Clinical data, anthropometry, dietary intake and fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by circulating levels of malondialdehyde, and protein …

research product

Influence of gut microbiota on neuropsychiatric disorders

The last decade has witnessed a growing appreciation of the fundamental role played by an early assembly of a diverse and balanced gut microbiota and its subsequent maintenance for future health of the host. Gut microbiota is currently viewed as a key regulator of a fluent bidirectional dialogue between the gut and the brain (gut-brain axis). A number of preclinical studies have suggested that the microbiota and its genome (microbiome) may play a key role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, alterations in the gut microbiota composition in humans have also been linked to a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, autism and Parkinson’s dis…

research product

Telomere attrition in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Background: Our research group have demonstrated that oxidative stress (OS) is involved in the pathophysiology of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) (Escribano A. et al. Thorax 2015;70:82-3). In addition, many evidences have shown that OS accelerates telomere shortening in several lung pathologies. Short telomeres have been associated to higher emphysema risk in COPD patients. Rationale: Since AATD is characterised by chronic OS, we hypothesise that telomere shortening would be accelerated in AATD patients and would be associated with higher risk of developing lung disease. Aims: To assess telomere length (TL) in AATD patients and to study its association with AAT phenotypes. Methods: TL…

research product

A matter of fat: insulin resistance and oxidative stress

Background Obesity is linked to insulin resistance (IR), which can lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress present in early obesity may favor the progression to comorbid conditions. Objective To examine the relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and the severity of IR in a group of obese children. Methods Forty obese children with a body mass index (BMI) Z-score ≥ 2 were divided into two groups using the median obtained for the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). Anthropometric parameters (including body fat composition by bioelectrical impedance) and biochemical parameters were assessed. The following biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured: malondialdeh…

research product

PS-078 Clinical Relevance Of Gamma-glutamyl Transpeptidase In Childhood Obesity

Background and aims Metabolic risk leads to severe comorbidities in obesity. We evaluate the relationship between the values of gamma-glutamyl trans peptidase (GGT), a marker of hepatic involvement, and cardio metabolic risk factors in obese children. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study of 147 children (aged 7 to 16 years) was carried out. Ninety-five children were obese with a body mass index standard deviation score (SDS-BMI) >2 and 52 children were normal weight. Patients with endocrine disease or syndromic obesity were excluded. We have analysed clinical parameters of adiposity (fat mass by bioelectrical impedance, waist and hip circumference), blood pressure, and classical bioc…

research product

Diet supplementation during early lactation with non-alcoholic beer increases the antioxidant properties of breastmilk and decreases the oxidative damage in breastfeeding mothers.

After delivery and birth, mothers and neonates are exposed to oxidative stress. We tested whether supplementing the diet of breastfeeding mothers with non-alcoholic beer, a product rich in antioxidants, could improve their oxidative status and the antioxidant content of their milk. A prospective trial begun on Day 2 postpartum was conducted in mother-infant dyads.Sixty breastfeeding mothers and their infants were allocated to either a control group (n=30) on a free diet or a study group (n=30) on a free diet supplemented with 660 mL of non-alcoholic beer/day. The oxidative status of the mothers' breastmilk, plasma, and urine and the infant's urine was analyzed on Days 2 and 30 postpartum. T…

research product

Viral proteins VP2, VP6, and NSP2 are strongly precipitated by serum and fecal antibodies from children with rotavirus symptomatic infection

Rotavirus-specific IgA has been correlated with immune protection against rotavirus reinfection and symptomatic disease. Systemic and mucosal antibody responses were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 11 infants with severe rotavirus gastroenteritis. Geometric mean titers of antirotavirus serum IgG and IgA antibodies were significantly higher during the convalescence of the disease (P < 0.001 vs. acute-phase titers). Rotavirus-specific fecal sIgA antibodies increased 4 times during the convalescence in 9 (81.8%) children (P < 0.001). The serum IgG and IgA antibody and fecal sIgA antibody responses to individual rotavirus polypeptides were characterized by radioimmunopreci…

research product

Short Sleep Duration Is Related to Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Children

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of sleep duration on cardiovascular risk factors in obese children. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 90 obese children ages 7 to 16 years. Anthropometric and clinical evaluation with specification of dietary and lifestyle habits was carried out during an office visit. Sleep duration was evaluated by the BEARS (B = bedtime issues, E = excessive daytime sleepiness, A = night awakening, R = regularity and duration of sleep, S = snoring) questionnaire on children's sleep characteristics. Sleep time adequacy by age was assessed according to the criteria of the National Sleep Foundation. Biochemical blood variables indicati…

research product

Paediatric research in Spain: Challenges and priorities. INVEST-AEP Platform

Research is the cornerstone of medical progress. Paediatric research has its own nuances and represents an additional challenge due to the intrinsic characteristics of the paediatric population compared with adults. Despite the tremendous importance of childhood health and its impact during adulthood, society is still not convinced about the importance of conducting research in paediatrics. This also applies to paediatricians themselves, who think about research as a discipline that does not directly involve them.The Spanish Academy of Paediatrics has developed a specific research platform- INVEST-AEP- to try to help and answer the challenges associated with paediatric research in the socie…

research product

Resistin: Insulin resistance to malignancy

Adipose tissue is recognized as an endocrine organ that secretes bioactive substances known as adipokines. Excess adipose tissue and adipose tissue dysfunction lead to dysregulated adipokine production that can contribute to the development of obesity-related co-morbidities. Among the various adipokines, resistin, which was initially considered as a determinant of the emergence of insulin resistance in obesity, has appeared as an important link between obesity and inflammatory processes. Several experimental and clinical studies have suggested an association between increased resistin levels and severe conditions associated with obesity such as cardiovascular disease and malignancies. In th…

research product

Technological development and functional properties of an apple snack rich in flavonoid from mandarin juice

Abstract The development of functional foods has evolved considerably over the years. The technological ability to produce a food with enhanced physiologically active compounds has grown significantly. The aim of this work was to study the incorporation of the beneficial compounds from mandarin low pulp juice into an apple snack using vacuum impregnation technology and to test if the final product exhibited the functional properties and components of both raw materials. Forty grams of the final product made using mandarin juice homogenized at 15 MPa could provide the same quantity of hesperidin as 250 mL of fresh mandarin juice. We also performed a chromatographic determination of the compo…

research product

Anti-rat liver microsomal and cytosolic antibodies in hepatitis C virus infection.

In order to assess the frequency of autoimmunity markers in hepatitis C virus infection, 229 RIBA 2 HCV positive individuals were tested by ELISA and Immunoblot assay using as antigen rat liver microsomal and cytosolic proteins. Twenty-one out of 229 individuals (9%) showed anti-rat liver microsome antibodies by ELISA, but the titre was low (1:100 to 1:1,600). In Immunoblot, only 5 of these 21 ELISA positive sera recognized also rat liver microsomal proteins (MW between 30 to 64 kDa). Antibodies against rat liver cytosolic proteins were found by ELISA in 14 out of 229 individuals (6%). Three of them showed a reactivity in Immunoblot to 42 kDa or 55 kDA proteins. In conclusion, HCV infection…

research product

Circadian Rhythm Variations and Nutrition in Children

AbstractCircadian rhythms are the changes in biological processes that occur on a daily basis. Among these processes are reactions involved in metabolic homeostasis. Circadian rhythms are structured by the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus via the control of melatonin expression. Circadian rhythms are also controlled by the peripheral clocks, which are intracellular mechanisms composed of the clock genes, whose expression follows a circadian pattern. Circadian rhythms are impacted by signals from the environment called zeitgebers, or time givers, which include light exposure, feeding schedule and composition, sleeping schedule and pattern, temperature, and phy…

research product

Nutrition in Child Health Conditions

research product

Towards Tailored Gut Microbiome-Based and Dietary Interventions for Promoting the Development and Maintenance of a Healthy Brain.

Mental health is determined by a complex interplay between the Neurological Exposome and the Human Genome. Multiple genetic and non-genetic (exposome) factors interact early in life, modulating the risk of developing the most common complex neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), with potential long-term consequences on health. To date, the understating of the precise etiology underpinning these neurological alterations, and their clinical management pose a challenge. The crucial role played by diet and gut microbiota in brain development and functioning would indicate that modulating the gut-brain axis may help protect against the onset and progression of mental-health disorders. Some nutriti…

research product

The rs11187533 C&amp;#x3e;T Variant of the &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;FFAR4&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Gene Is Associated with Lower Levels of Fasting Glucose and Decreases in Markers of Liver Injury in Children with Obesity

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Introduction:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Genetic factors can modulate the development of associated comorbidities in obesity. It has been shown that loss-of-function variants of the &lt;i&gt;free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4)&lt;/i&gt; gene negatively affect obesity comorbidities such as insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; To test the relationships of metabolic factors in children with obesity with variants of the &lt;i&gt;FFAR4&lt;/i&gt; gene. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; We performed an association study of 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of &lt;i&gt;FFAR4&lt;/i&gt; (rs10882273 T&amp;#x3e;C, rs1…

research product

Effect of Adding Resistant Maltodextrin to Pasteurized Orange Juice on Bioactive Compounds and Their Bioaccessibility

Resistant maltodextrin (RMD) is a water-soluble and fermentable functional fiber. RMD is a satiating prebiotic, reducer of glucose and triglycerides in the blood, and promoter of good gut health, and its addition to food is increasingly frequent. Therefore, it is necessary to study its potential effects on intrinsic bioactive compounds of food and their bioaccessibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding RMD on the bioactive compounds of pasteurized orange juice with and without pulp, and the bioaccessibility of such compounds. RMD was added at different concentrations: 0 (control sample), 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. Ascorbic acid (AA) and vitamin C were analyzed using HPLC…

research product

Effect of a Diet Supplemented with alpha-Tocopherol and beta-Carotene on ATP and Antioxidant Levels after Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury associated with liver transplantation remains a serious complication in clinical practice. In the present study the effect of intake of alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene to limit liver injury by oxidative stress in ischemia and reperfusion was explored. Wistar rats were fed with diets enriched with alpha-tocopherol (20 mg/day) or beta-carotene (3 mg/day) for 21 days. After 21 days, their livers were subjected to 15 and 30 min of ischemia and afterwards were reperfused for 60 min. The recovery of levels of ATP during reperfusion was better in the group of rats whose diets were supplemented with alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene than in the group control. The suppl…

research product

Decreased glutathione and low catalase activity contribute to oxidative stress in children with α-1 antitrypsin deficiency: Table 1

Background Recent investigations in animal models have revealed oxidative stress and oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). However, no data are available on the oxidative stress status and antioxidant enzyme activity in these patients. This study was aimed to analyse the oxidative stress profile and enzymatic antioxidant defence mechanisms in children with AATD. Methods Oxidative stress parameters and the activity of the main antioxidant enzymes were prospectively measured in serum of fifty-one children diagnosed with AATD and thirty-eight control individuals. Results Oxidative stress was increased in the serum of children with intermediate- (MZ; SZ)…

research product

Melatonin in Early Nutrition: Long-Term Effects on Cardiovascular System

Breastfeeding protects against adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the long term. Melatonin is an active molecule that is present in the breast milk produced at night beginning in the first stages of lactation. This indoleamine appears to be a relevant contributor to the benefits of breast milk because it can affect infant health in several ways. The melatonin concentration in breast milk varies in a circadian pattern, making breast milk a chrononutrient. The consumption of melatonin can induce the first circadian stimulation in the infant’s body at an age when his/her own circadian machinery is not functioning yet. This molecule is also a powerful antioxidant with the ability to act on infa…

research product

Paediatric research in Spain: Challenges and priorities. INVEST-AEP Platform

La investigación clínica es la piedra angular para el desarrollo de la Medicina, y, en el ámbito de la Pediatría, supone un reto adicional debido a las peculiaridades que diferencian a los niños de los adultos. A pesar del enorme impacto de la salud infantil en el resto de la vida, nuestra sociedad aún no está suficientemente concienciada sobre la importancia de la investigación pediátrica, que, en general, se encuentra también muy alejada del día a día de quienes nos dedicamos a esta profesión. Desde la Asociación Española de Pediatría (AEP) se ha creado una plataforma específica de investigación —INVEST-AEP— para dar respuesta específica a los retos de la investigación en el seno de nuest…

research product

Retinol-Binding Protein 4 Levels Are Associated with Measures of Liver and Renal Function and Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Obese Children

Serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been proposed as a metabolic risk factor in obesity. We found that RBP4 levels also were associated with liver enzymes and cystatin C. Oxidant stress is a significant feature in obese children with greater values of RBP4 that can mediate the development of comorbidities.

research product

Association of RBP4 genetic variants with childhood obesity and cardiovascular risk factors

Background Recent data suggest that retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) gene variants could be associated with a risk of obesity and its co-morbidities, such as metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Objectives The present study examined the potential association of RBP4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with childhood obesity and its metabolic complications. Methods Four RBP4 SNPs, rs3758538 (3944A>C), rs3758539 (4406G>A), rs12265684 (12177G>C) and rs34571439 (14684T>G), were genotyped in a population of 180 Spanish Caucasian children (97 obese and 83 normal-weight children). Association of RBP4 SNPs with obesity, m…

research product

Polyamines are increased in obese children and are related to markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress and angiogenesis.

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are polycationic amines derived from arginine, which is the precursor of nitric oxide (NO). Due to the close relationship between the metabolism of polyamines and NO metabolism, the alteration in polyamine homeostasis can affect the NO bioavailability at the endothelium.The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that childhood obesity is associated with a significant modification of blood polyamines and to investigate the presence of correlation between these molecules, circulating markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress, and endothelial dysfunction.This was an observational analytical case-control study conducted at one terti…

research product

Ciliopathies: an Update

Cilia are hair-like organelles that extend from the surface of almost all human cells. Nine doublet microtubule pairs make up the core of each cilium, known as the axoneme. Cilia are classified as motile or immotile; non motile or primary cilia are involved in sensing the extracellular environment. These organelles mediate perception of chemo-, mechano- and osmosensations that are then transmitted into the cell via signaling pathways. They also play a crucial role in cellular functions including planar cell polarity, cell division, proliferation and apoptosis. Because of cilia are located on almost all polarized human cell types, cilia-related disorders, can affect many organs and systems. …

research product

Plasma resistin levels are associated with homocysteine, endothelial activation, and nitrosative stress in obese youths.

To evaluate whether serum resistin levels are related to cardiovascular risk in obese children.Cross-sectional study of 110 children (40 normal weight and 70 severely obese). Clinical and biochemical parameters, including lipid profile, fasting glucose and insulin, and homocysteine, were determined. The levels of adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, and resistin), markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)), endothelial activation (serum concentrations of soluble intercellular and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1)), and oxidative/nitrosative stress (malondialdehyde and urinary nitrate/nitrite) were measured.A partial correlation adjusted by gend…

research product

Vitamin D status is linked to biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial activation in obese children.

To examine vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and serum calcium-phosphorus levels relationships to biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, and endothelial activation, potential contributors for vascular complications in obese children.Cross-sectional clinical study of 66 obese Caucasian children aged 7 to 14 years. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. Malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase as measures of oxidative stress, and plasma nitrite+nitrate, urinary nitrate, and 3-nitrotyrosine as markers of nitrosative stress were measured. Adipocytokines, inflammatory molecules (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α), endothelial activati…

research product

Circadian rhythms in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases

The etiology of digestive pathologies such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and cancer is not yet fully understood. In recent years, several studies have evidenced circadian variations in mechanisms involved in digestive health. In situations of disturbed circadian rhythms (chronodisruption) where the central clock and the peripheral clocks receive incoherent signals, the synchronicity is lost producing implications for health. This lack of coordination could alter the tissue function and cause long term damage to the organs. Life habits such as sleep, physical exercise, social interaction, and feeding times are determinants for stability and integrity of…

research product

Nutrition in Pediatric Kidney Disease

AbstractNutrition has a major impact on the health of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Special diets and additional replacement therapies may be chosen according to the specific renal disease. Persistent low-grade inflammation, which contributes to CKD-associated cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, protein-energy wasting, oxidative stress, acidosis, chronic and recurrent infections, and altered metabolism of adipose tissue may result from dietary deficits and are important targets for nutritive intervention. Therefore, many guidelines have been developed regarding nutrient intake adequation to assist pediatricians treating these children. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has multifa…

research product

Biomarkers of inflammation in obese children: relationship with Vitamin D insufficiency

research product

Is obesity associated with oxidative stress in children?

We evaluated the presence of oxidative stress in obese children without co-morbidities.The study population included 68 children (30 girls, 38 boys), between 6 and 14 years of age. The levels of markers of oxidative damage (malondialdehyde [MDA], and plasma carbonyl groups [CG]) and measures of antioxidant defense, such as the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and low molecular scavengers (erythrocyte-reduced glutathione [GSH], alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene) were determined. Children were categorized in groups by the standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS-BMI). Twenty children were non-obese (SDS-BMIor =1.33), and the 48 obese children (SDS-BMIor =2) were further divided in…

research product

Impact of Resistant Maltodextrin Addition on the Physico-Chemical Properties in Pasteurised Orange Juice

Resistant maltodextrin (RMD) is a water-soluble fibre that can be fermented in the colon and exert prebiotic effects. Therefore, its addition to food and beverage products could be beneficial from both technological and nutritional viewpoints. However, to date, most studies have focused on the stability of the prebiotic fibre rather than its impact in the original food matrices. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the addition of RMD on the physico-chemical properties of pasteurised orange juice (with and without pulp). &deg

research product

Adolescent Feeding: Nutritional Risk Factors

AbstractThe aim of this review is to describe adolescent nutritional requirements from a scientific, nutritional, and psychosocial point of view, emphasizing the main risks of malnutrition at this age. Currently, too many teenagers are alone at home and prepare their own meals. The influence of friends replaces parental rules. The habits of adolescents are characterized by a tendency to skip meals, especially breakfast, and, less frequently, the midday meal; to purchase carry-out meals away from home; to consume snacks, especially sweets; to eat at fast food restaurants, almost always with high-calorie content; and to eat fried foods, soft drinks, and sweets. Toxic habits, such as smoking, …

research product

Effect on health of non-alcohol beer and hop supplementation in a group of nuns in a closed order

research product

alpha-Tocopherol, MDA-HNE and 8-OHdG levels in liver and heart mitochondria of adriamycin-treated rats fed with alcohol-free beer.

Different studies indicate that oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage are key factors in different pathogenic process. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of alcohol-free beer on adriamycin-induced (ADR) heart and liver toxicity using biomarkers of oxidative stress. This effect was compared with the effect of alcohol beer intake and with a control group. Rats were randomly divided into six groups. The first group received no adriamycin, was fed with water and was regarded as the control group; the second group was injected with a ADR (two cycles of 5mg/kg); the third and fourth groups were fed with alcohol-free and beer for 21 days, respectively and the…

research product

The protective effects of melanoidins in adriamycin-induced oxidative stress in isolated rat hepatocytes

The importance of the antioxidants contained in foods is well recognized both for preserving the foods themselves and for supplying essential antioxidants in vivo. Among these, the melanoidins formed during food processing and storage represent a significant part of our diet, with an average intake of several grams per day. Melanoidins exhibit antioxidant properties in vitro through their protective effect against reactive oxygen species. Here we investigated the protective effect of the model glucose–glycine melanoidins on oxidative stress induced by adriamycin in hepatocytes isolated from rats. The study was performed by examining cell toxicity (lactate dehydrogenase) release in the mediu…

research product

Vitamin D receptor gene ApaI and FokI polymorphisms and its association with inflammation and oxidative stress in vitamin D sufficient Caucasian Spanish children

Background Vitamin D has gone from being just one vitamin to being an important prohormone with multiple effects on different tissue types. The mechanism of action of the active form or calcitriol is mediated by the intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR). The interaction of the VDR with calcitriol modulates the expression of target genes involved in cell proliferation and cytokine production. Several studies have explored the effects of vitamin D deficiency in inflammatory disorders. Furthermore, some mutations in the VDR can affect its functionality. The focus of this study was to explore associations between VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and markers of inflammation and oxidat…

research product

Mandarin Juice Improves the Antioxidant Status of Hypercholesterolemic Children

Background: Oxidative stress has been linked to such degenerative diseases as atherosclerosis, and it has been suggested that increased dietary intake of antioxidants may reduce its progression. Objective: To determine the effect of mandarin juice consumption on biomarkers related to oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic children. Materials and Methods: The diet of 48 children with plasma cholesterol >200 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >130 mg/dL was supplemented for 28 days with 500 mL/day of pure (100%) mandarin juice (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.). The composition of the mandarin juice was analyzed, and its antioxidant antiradical activity was evaluated in vitro. Mal…

research product

Clinical Applications

The study of the diagnostic accuracy of Infrared Thermal Imaging in the diagnosis of orthopaedic injuries in childhood has been motivated by the high incidence of these injuries throughout the world, being one of the most common reasons for urgent medical consultation. Diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries usually involves radiography, but this exposes children without fractures to unnecessary ionising radiation. This chapter assesses whether infrared thermography could provide a viable alternative in cases of trauma. To evaluate the accuracy of this technique new thermographic variables have been added to those commonly analysed, such as the extent of the injury and the difference in the s…

research product

Accelerated telomere attrition in children and teenagers with α1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Numerous studies have shown that oxidative stress accelerates telomere shortening in several lung pathologies. Since oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), we hypothesised that telomere shortening would be accelerated in AATD patients. This study aimed to assess telomere length in AATD patients and to study its association with α1-antitrypsin phenotypes.Telomere length, telomerase activity, telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured in 62 children and teenagers (aged 2–18 years) diagnosed with AATD and 18 controls (aged 3–16 years).Our results show that intermediate-risk (MZ; SZ) and …

research product

Antioxidant capacity of colostrum milk is influenced by maternal diet

research product

The connection of circadian rhythm to inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of chronic, immune system-mediated inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of the intestinal lesions in IBD remains elusive, but the inflammation process could be the result of dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune systems induced by genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, research has demonstrated a connection between environmental stressors that can influence day-night variations, also called circadian rhythms, and digestive health. In this review, we focus on alterations in the complex interactions between intestinal mucosa, microbial factors, and the immune response in…

research product

Impact of adenotonsillectomy on the evolution of inflammatory markers

Background Tonsils are first-line host defence organs against pathogenic agents and participate in local and systemic immunity. Persistent increases in systemic inflammatory responses may contribute to associated morbidity. The aim of this study was to verify the short- and long-term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the evolution of inflammatory markers in 3- to 9-year-old children. Methods A prospective and longitudinal study was conducted over 1 year in 29 children who underwent tonsillectomy due to either chronic tonsillitis or adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Measurements of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were taken. Levels of Th1-type cytokines [interleukin-1, interferon…

research product

Leukocyte–Endothelium Interaction Is Associated with Fat Mass in Children

Objective To study leukocyte–endothelium interaction, a measure of the initial phase of atheromatosis, in children with overweight or obesity. Study design A prospective study was conducted in 77 children aged 7-16 years; 47 were children with overweight/obesity and 30 were normal weight. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from venous blood samples and the interaction of leukocytes over a monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was analyzed using flow chamber microscopy. The variables studied included leukocyte rolling velocity, rolling flux, and adhesion to endothelial cells. These were compared between children with overwe…

research product

Child Nutrition and Bone Health

AbstractNutrition is one of the modifiable factors that contributes to bone accrual during childhood and adolescence, a critical period to prevent adult osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D seem to be the most important nutrients for optimal bone growth. Requirements for calcium intake are different among countries and organizations, and exact recommendations are difficult to determine since other dietary factors directly affect calcium metabolism, such as salt intake and vitamin D levels. Some scientists have suggested that the actual calcium requirements are overestimated and that increased dairy intake does not necessarily translate to better bone health in adults. Moreover, calcium can b…

research product

Melatonin Content of Human Milk: The Effect of Mode of Delivery

Objective: Cesarean section rates are increasing in developed countries and could be performed as an emergency or elective procedure. Our research aim was to determine whether elective cesarean sec...

research product

Depletion of Blautia Species in the Microbiota of Obese Children Relates to Intestinal Inflammation and Metabolic Phenotype Worsening

Cross-sectional studies conducted with obese and control subjects have suggested associations between gut microbiota alterations and obesity, but the links with specific disease phenotypes and proofs of causality are still scarce. The present study aimed to profile the gut microbiota of lean and obese children with and without insulin resistance to characterize associations with specific obesity-related complications and understand the role played in metabolic inflammation. Through massive sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and data analysis using a novel permutation approach, we have detected decreased incidence of Blautia species, especially Blautia luti and B. wexlerae, in the gut mic…

research product

Left ventricular diastolic function and cardiometabolic factors in obese normotensive children

Abstract Background and aim Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and diastolic function have been found to be associated with obesity and hypertension in adults. However, there are scarce data about the association of obesity itself to cardiac alteration in children. The aim of this study was to detect early changes in LV structure and function in obese children and whether they are associated with the biomarkers of metabolic risk and endothelial activation. Methods and results A total of 130 children aged 7–16 years (88 obese and 42 normal-weight children) were studied. All children had normal resting blood pressure. Two-dimensional ultrasound with M-mode imaging was performed to assess the L…

research product

Intestinal Microbiota and Celiac Disease: Cause, Consequence or Co-Evolution?

It is widely recognized that the intestinal microbiota plays a role in the initiation and perpetuation of intestinal inflammation in numerous chronic conditions. Most studies report intestinal dysbiosis in celiac disease (CD) patients, untreated and treated with a gluten-free diet (GFD), compared to healthy controls. CD patients with gastrointestinal symptoms are also known to have a different microbiota compared to patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and controls, suggesting that the microbiota is involved in disease manifestation. Furthermore, a dysbiotic microbiota seems to be associated with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms in treated CD patients, suggesting its pathogenic implic…

research product