0000000000076199
AUTHOR
Cristiana Randazzo
Serum Irisin Concentrations in Severely Inflamed Patients
AbstractIrisin is a recently discovered exercise-induced myokine that has been attributed the role of favoring white-to-brown adipose tissue trans-differentiation. We confirmed in a population-based cohort that irisin serum concentrations are independently correlated with the habitual level of physical activity, but we also observed an independent correlation with serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), thus suggesting that inflammation may influence irisin production. In order to investigate the association between irisin and inflammation, we measured serum irisin concentrations in a group of inflamed inpatients. We hypothesized that if an association between …
IMPACT OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE ON CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN A GENERAL POPULATION
Background: Background:Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide leading also to a higher risk of cardiovascular events. We aimed to evaluate the impact of fatty liver and fibrosis on cardiovascular risk factors in a general population. Methods: 604 subjects included in the community-based ABCD (Alimentazione, Benessere Cardiovascolare e Diabete) study were recruited. Steatosis (CAP >288 dB/m) and fibrosis (> 8.7 KPa by M and > 7.2 KPa by XL probe) were assessed with FibroScan Cardiovascular risk was evaluated by the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk estimator and de ned low if <5%, borderline if 5%-7 4%, intermediate if 7-9% a…
Role of Dietary Carotenoids in Frailty Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Unbalanced diets and altered micronutrient intake are prevalent in the aging adult population. We conducted a systematic review to appraise the evidence regarding the association between single (α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin) or total carotenoids and frailty syndrome in the adult population. The literature was screened from study inception to December 2021, using six different electronic databases. After establishing inclusion criteria, two independent researchers assessed the eligibility of 180 retrieved articles. Only 11 fit the eligibility requirements, reporting five carotenoid entries. No exclusion criteria were applied to outcomes, assessment tools, i.e., f…
Influence of habitual dairy food intake on LDL cholesterol in a population-based cohort
Background: Cholesterol has a pivotal role in human physiology, exerting both structural and functional activity. However, higher blood cholesterol levels, especially low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), are a major cardiovascular risk factor. Therefore, special attention has been given to the effect of dietary factors in influencing LDL-C blood levels. In particular, much research has focused on dairy products, since they are a main component of different dietary patterns worldwide. A large body of evidence did not support the hypothesis that dairy products significantly increase circulating LDL-C, but no definitive data are available. Hence, we aimed to assess the relationships am…
Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects of Switching Thiazides to Amlodipine in Hypertensive Patients With and Without Type 2 Diabetes (the Diuretics and Diabetes Control Study).
Background: Different studies have indicated that thiazide diuretics can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether switching from hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to amlodipine resulted in ameliorating different cardiovascular and metabolic measures in hypertensive patients with or without T2D. Methods: This study [Diuretics and Diabetes Control (DiaDiC)] was a 6-week, single-blind, single-center randomized controlled trial. The first 20 normal glucose-tolerant, 20 prediabetic, and 20 T2D consecutive patients were randomized to continue the previous antihypertensive treatment with HCTZ (12.5-25 mg/day) or to switch from HCTZ to amlodi…
Obesity and Circulating Levels of Vitamin D before and after Weight Loss Induced by a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet
Background: Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, also influencing bone tissue. Several studies have reported that vitamin D blood levels were significantly lower in people with obesity, probably due to its uptake by the adipose tissue. Clinical studies that investigated the changes of circulating levels of vitamin D following weight loss reported controversial data. A very low-calorie ketogenic diet is acknowledged as a reliable treatment to achieve a rapid weight loss. Therefore, we investigated the effect of weight loss, consequent to a very low-calorie ketogenic diet, on vitamin D blood concentrations. Methods: A cohort of 31 people with obesity underwent …
The three facets of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic during the first two waves in the northern, central, and southern Italy
Background: There is a scarcity of information in literature regarding the clinical differences and comorbidities of patients affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which could clarify the different prevalence of the outcomes (composite and only death) between several Italian regions. Objective: This study aimed to assess the heterogeneity of clinical features of patients with COVID-19 upon hospital admission and disease outcomes in the northern, central, and southern Italian regions. Methods: An observational cohort multicenter retrospective study including 1210 patients who were admitted for COVID-19 in Infectious diseases, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Geriatrics and Internal Med…
<p>Endothelial Function in Obese Patients Treated with Bariatric Surgery</p>
Purpose Bariatric surgery (BS) is becoming an increasingly frequent treatment option especially in people with morbid obesity, demonstrating that it is able to reduce total mortality and cardiovascular (CV) risk. Despite endothelial dysfunction is an essential requisite contributing to atherosclerosis and predicting CV events, only some studies have investigated the effects of BS on endothelial function with controversial results. In this study, the effects of weight loss on endothelial function were investigated in obese patients after BS and compared with patients after medical nutrition treatment (MNT). Patients and Methods Seventeen obese patients who underwent BS procedures (9 adjustab…
Interplay between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular risk in an asymptomatic general population
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide leading also to a higher risk of cardiovascular events. We aimed to evaluate the impact of fatty liver and fibrosis on cardiovascular risk in a general population. METHODS Five hundred and forty-two subjects included in the community-based ABCD (Alimentazione, Benessere Cardiovascolare e Diabete) study were recruited. Steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter > 288 dB/m) and severe fibrosis (low risk, liver stiffness measurement [LSM] < 7.9 KPa with M probe and < 5.7 KPa with XL probe; intermediate risk, LSM 7.9-9.5 KPa with M probe and 5.7-9.2 KPa with XL probe; high risk, LSM ≥ 9.6 KPa with…
Risk Factors for COVID-19: Diabetes, Hypertension, and Obesity
Introduction: The recent global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has involved more than 7 million people worldwide and been associated with more than 400,000 deaths. No clear information is known about all the potential risk factors for COVID-19 or what factors adversely influence its clinical course and mortality. Therefore, we analyzed the role of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension as risk factors for COVID-19. Methods: We identified articles for inclusion by searching PubMed and Google Scholar (last accessed 15 June 2020). Retrospective review of literature. Analysis of epidemiological data co…
Insulin degludec and insulin glargine 300 U/mL: Which of these two insulins causes less hypoglycemia?
The interesting article by Yamabe et al.1 showed, using continuous glucose monitoring, that insulin degludec (I‐Deg) was associated with a high percentage of time with nocturnal hypoglycemia than with insulin glargine 300 U/mL (I‐G300; P = 0.02). However, we observe that some possible confounding factors might have influenced the results, such as differences in concomitant medications, use of the same titration protocol for both kinds of insulin or differences in glucose levels. This is also a recurrent problem in clinical trials, which sometime produce conflicting results. In fact, the study of Yamabe et al. is partly in agreement with some recently published clinical trials that gave diff…
Endothelial Function in Obese Patients Treated with Bariatric Surgery
Antonio Maria Borz&igrave;,1,2,* Carola Buscemi,3,4,* Davide Corleo,3,4 Cristiana Randazzo,3,4 Giuseppe Rosafio,3,4 Gianni Pantuso,5 Silvio Buscemi3,4 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Specialization School in Geriatrics, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 2Specialization School in Geriatrics, Catania, Italy; 3Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palerno, Italy; 4Unit of Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Policlinico University Hospital, Palermo, Italy; 5Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche e Odontostomatologiche (DICHIRONS), Unit of Chirurgia …
Effects of Mediterranean Diet Combined with CrossFit Training on Trained Adults’ Performance and Body Composition
CrossFit is a high-intensity training discipline increasingly practiced in recent years. Specific nutritional approaches are usually recommended to maximize performance and improve body composition in high-intensity training regimens; notwithstanding, to date there are no targeted nutritional recommendations for CrossFit athletes. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a diet approach with a well-designed proportion of macronutrients, using only available/seasonal food of the Mediterranean area, whose health benefits are well demonstrated. No studies have evaluated this dietary strategy among CrossFit athletes and practitioners; for this reason, we tested the effects of 8 weeks of MD on CrossFit at…
Salute e cultura alimentare globalizzata
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