Search results for "metabolic"
showing 10 items of 2205 documents
Regular Intake of Pistachio Mitigates the Deleterious Effects of a High Fat-Diet in the Brain of Obese Mice
2020
Obesity has been associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunctions. Recent data showed that pistachio consumption is able to prevent and ameliorate dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, systemic and adipose tissue inflammation in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of pistachio intake in HFD mice. Three groups of mice were fed a standard diet (STD), HFD, or HFD supplemented with pistachio (HFD-P) for 16 weeks. Metabolic parameters (oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction) were analyzed by using specific assays and biomarkers. The pistachio diet significantly reduced the serum levels of triglycerides and choleste…
Systemic Oxidative Stress and Visceral Adipose Tissue Mediators of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Autophagy Are Reduced in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients Tre…
2020
Obesity is a low-grade inflammatory condition affecting a range of individuals, from metabolically healthy obese (MHO) subjects to type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Metformin has been shown to display anti-inflammatory properties, though the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. To study whether the effects of metformin are mediated by changes in the inflammasome complex and autophagy in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of obese patients, a biopsy of VAT was obtained from a total of 68 obese patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery. The patients were clustered into two groups: MHO patients and T2D patients treated with metformin. Patients treated with metformin showed decreased levels o…
Prokaryotic assemblages within permafrost active layer at Edmonson Point (Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica)
2018
This study was aimed at gaining insights on the prokaryotic community (in terms of both taxonomic composition and activities) inhabiting the active layer at Edmonson Point, an ice-free area on the eastern slope at the foot of Mount Melbourne (Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica). Samples were collected during the thawing period, when microbial physiological activities are restored to utilize previously frozen organic substrates. Despite the very small cell sizes (600 daltons) substrates, as indicated also by the obtained rates of enzymatic hydrolytic activities over proteolytic, glycolitic and phosphoric compounds. Taxonomical composition showed that Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmic…
PCSK7 gene variation bridges atherogenic dyslipidemia with hepatic inflammation in NAFLD patients
2019
Dyslipidemia and altered iron metabolism are typical features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 7 (PCSK7) gene variation has been associated with circulating lipids and liver damage during iron overload. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the PCSK7 rs236918 variant on NAFLDrelated traits in 1,801 individuals from the Liver Biopsy Cohort (LBC), 500,000 from the UK Biobank Cohort (UKBBC), and 4,580 from the Dallas Heart Study (DHS). The minor PCSK7 rs236918 C allele was associated with higher triglycerides, aminotransferases, and hepatic inflammation in the LBC (P < 0.05) and with hypercholesterolemia and liver disease …
Phytosterols: Nutritional Health Players in the Management of Obesity and Its Related Disorders
2020
Obesity and its related disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular risk, represent an emerging global health issue. Even though genetic factors seem to be the primary actors in the development and progression of these diseases, dietary choices also appear to be of crucial importance. A healthy diet combined with physical activity have been shown to ameliorate glycaemic levels and insulin sensitivity, reduce body weight and the risk of chronic diseases, and contribute to an overall improvement in quality of life. Among nutrients, phytosterols have become the focus of growing attention as novel functional foods in the management of metabolic disorders. Phytosterols are natural plant compo…
The Role of the Bisphenol A in Diabetes and Obesity
2021
Bisphenol A is a compound commonly found in products meant for daily use. It was one of the first compounds to be identified as an endocrine disruptor that was capable of disrupting the endocrine system and producing very similar effects to those of metabolic syndrome. It has recently gained popularity in the scientific arena as a risk factor for obesity and diabetes due to its ability to imitate natural oestrogens and bind to their receptors. The aim was to study the possible relationship between the Bisphenol A endocrine disruptor with diabetes and obesity. The analysis of the articles allows us to conclude that Bisphenol A is an additional risk factor to consider in the development of di…
Characterization of Differentially Expressed Circulating miRNAs in Metabolically Healthy versus Unhealthy Obesity
2021
Obese individuals without metabolic comorbidities are categorized as metabolically healthy obese (MHO). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may be implicated in MHO. This cross-sectional study explores the link between circulating miRNAs and the main components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the context of obesity. We also examine oxidative stress biomarkers in MHO vs. metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). We analysed 3536 serum miRNAs in 20 middle-aged obese individuals: 10 MHO and 10 MUO. A total of 159 miRNAs were differentially expressed, of which, 72 miRNAs (45.2%) were higher and 87 miRNAs (54.7%) were lower in the MUO group. In addition, miRNAs related to insulin signalling and lipid metabolism pat…
Diet-Induced Rabbit Models for the Study of Metabolic Syndrome
2019
Simple Summary In recent years, obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have become more prevalent owing to increased unhealthy habits and sedentary lifestyles, becoming public health problems. Experimental studies have allowed us to explore the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiological processes related to MetS. Several research protocols can be carried out with minimal staff, maintenance, and resources in animals such as rabbits. High-fat diets enriched with other components, mainly cholesterol and sugars, result in the rapid development of hypercholesterolemia and vascular alterations as a response to dietary manipulation. Furthermore, other experimental models, including transgenic rab…
Analysis of the Transcriptome of the Red Seaweed Grateloupia imbricata with Emphasis on Reproductive Potential
2018
Grateloupia imbricata is an intertidal marine seaweed and candidate model organism for both industry and academic research, owing to its ability to produce raw materials such as carrageenan. Here we report on the transcriptome of G. imbricata with the aim of providing new insights into the metabolic pathways and other functional pathways related to the reproduction of Grateloupia species. Next-generation sequencing was carried out with subsequent de novo assembly and annotation using state-of-the-art bioinformatic protocols. The results show the presence of transcripts required for the uptake of glycerol, which is a specific carbon source for in vitro culture of G. imbricata and nucleotide …
Single-Cell Transcriptional Profiling of Cells Derived From Regenerating Alveolar Ducts
2020
Lung regeneration occurs in a variety of adult mammals after surgical removal of one lung (pneumonectomy). Previous studies of murine post-pneumonectomy lung growth have identified regenerative “hotspots” in subpleural alveolar ducts; however, the cell-types participating in this process remain unclear. To identify the single cells participating in post-pneumonectomy lung growth, we used laser microdissection, enzymatic digestion and microfluidic isolation. Single-cell transcriptional analysis of the murine alveolar duct cells was performed using the C1 integrated fluidic circuit (Fluidigm) and a custom PCR panel designed for lung growth and repair genes. The multi-dimensional data set was …