Exercise Induces an Augmented Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response in a Mouse Model of Obesity Produced by a High-Fat Diet.

Increase in body fat contributes to loss of function and changes in skeletal muscle, accelerating sarcopenia, a phenomenon known as sarco-obesity or sarcopenic obesity. Studies suggest that obesity decreases the skeletal muscle (SM)'s ability to oxidize glucose, increases fatty acid oxidation and reactive oxygen species production, due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Exercise improves mitochondrial dysfunction in obesity; however, it is not known if exercise regulates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in the SM. Our study aimed to determine the mito-nuclear UPRmt in response to exercise in a model of obesity, and how this response is associated with the improvement in SM functioning after exercise training. C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet and high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. After 8 weeks, animals were subdivided into sedentary and exercised for the remaining 4 weeks. Grip strength and maximal velocity of mice submitted to HFD improved after training. Our results show an increase in the activation of UPRmt after exercise while in obese mice, proteostasis is basally decreased but shows a more pronounced increase with exercise. These results correlate with improvement in the circulating triglycerides, suggesting mitochondrial proteostasis could be protective and could be related to mitochondrial fuel utilization in SM.

Effects of acute iron overload on Nrf2-related glutathione metabolism in rat brain.

Iron (Fe) overload triggers free radical production and lipid peroxidation processes that may lead to cell death (ferroptosis). The hypothesis of this work was that acute Fe-dextran treatment triggers Nrf2-mediated antioxidant regulation in rat brain involving glutathione (GSH) metabolism. Over the initial 8 h after Fe-dextran administration (single dose of 500 mg Fe-dextran/kg), total Fe, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), GPx-Se dependent (GPx-Se) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) activities were increased in rat whole brain. The content of GSH and the activity of glutathione reductase (GR) showed decreases (p < 0.05) after 6 and 8 h post injection in cortex. A significant increase in nuclear Nrf2 protein levels over control values was achieved after 6 h of Fe-dextran administration, while no significant differences were observed in the cytosolic fraction. Nuclear Nrf2/cytosolic Nrf2 ratios showed enhancement (p < 0.05) after 6 h of Fe overload, suggesting a greater translocation of the factor to the nucleus. No significant differences were observed in the expression of Keap1 in nuclear or cytosolic extracts. It is concluded that acute Fe overload induces oxidative stress in rat brain with the concomitant lipid peroxidation increase and GSH depletion, leading to the elevation of Nrf2-controlled GPx, GPx-Se and GST protein expression as a protective adaptive response. Further studies are required to fully comprehend the complex network of interrelated processes keeping the balance of GSH functions as chelator, antioxidant and redox buffer in the understanding of the ferroptotic and hormetic mechanisms triggered by Fe overload in brain.

Impact of Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response as New Adaptive Mechanisms Underlying Old Pathologies: Sarcopenia and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Mitochondria are the first-line defense of the cell in the presence of stressing processes that can induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Under these conditions, the activation of two axes is accomplished, namely, (i) the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) to promote cell recovery and survival of the mitochondrial network; (ii) the mitophagy process to eliminate altered or dysfunctional mitochondria. For these purposes, the former response induces the expression of chaperones, proteases, antioxidant components and protein import and assembly factors, whereas the latter is signaled through the activation of the PINK1/Parkin and BNIP3/NIX pathways. These adaptive mechanisms may be compromised during aging, leading to the development of several pathologies including sarcopenia, defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and performance; and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These age-associated diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of organ function due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage to biomolecules, since the ability to counteract the continuous and large generation of ROS becomes increasingly inefficient with aging, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction as a central pathogenic mechanism. Nevertheless, the role of the integrated stress response (ISR) involving UPRmt and mitophagy in the development and progression of these illnesses is still a matter of debate, considering that some studies indicate that the prolonged exposure to low levels of stress may trigger these mechanisms to maintain mitohormesis, whereas others sustain that chronic activation of them could lead to cell death. In this review, we discuss the available research that contributes to unveil the role of the mitochondrial UPR in the development of sarcopenia, in an attempt to describe changes prior to the manifestation of severe symptoms; and in NAFLD, in order to prevent or reverse fat accumulation and its progression by means of suitable protocols to be addressed in future studies.

Protective Effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid Plus Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation Against White Adipose Tissue Abnormalities in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) elicits white adipose tissue dysfunction. In this study, we have hypothesized that the metabolic modulator eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) combined with the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol (HT) attenuates HFD-induced white adipose tissue (WAT) alterations. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were administered with a HFD (60% fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrates) or control diet (CD; 10% fat, 20% protein, 70% carbohydrates), with or without EPA (50 mg/kg/day), HT (5 mg/kg/day), or both for 12 weeks. Determinations in WAT include morphological parameters, EPA and docosahexaenoic acid content in phospholipids (gas chromatography), lipogenesis, oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation markers, and gene expression and activities of transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) (p65 subunit) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) (quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: HFD led to WAT hypertrophy in relation to PPAR-γ downregulation. WAT metabolic dysfunction was characterized by upregulation of lipogenic SREBP-1c system, mitochondrial energy metabolism depression, loss of the antioxidant Nrf2 signaling with OS enhancement, n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids depletion and activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-κB system. EPA and HT co-supplementation diminished HFD-dependent effects additively, reaching values close or similar to controls. CONCLUSION: Data presented strengthen the importance of combined protocols such as EPA plus HT to attenuate metabolic-inflammatory states triggered by obesity.

Combined docosahexaenoic acid and thyroid hormone supplementation as a protocol supporting energy supply to precondition and afford protection against metabolic stress situations.

Liver preconditioning (PC) refers to the development of an enhanced tolerance to injuring stimuli. For example, the protection from ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in the liver that is obtained by previous maneuvers triggering beneficial molecular and functional changes. Recently, we have assessed the PC effects of thyroid hormone (T3; single dose of 0.1 mg/kg) and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs; daily doses of 450 mg/kg for 7 days) that abrogate IR injury to the liver. This feature is also achieved by a combined T3 and the n-3 LCPUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) using a reduced period of supplementation of the FA (daily doses of 300 mg/kg for 3 days) and half of the T3 dosage (0.05 mg/kg). T3 -dependent protective mechanisms include (i) the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent activation of transcription factors nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), AP-1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) upregulating the expression of protective proteins. (ii) ROS-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress affording proper protein folding. (iii) The autophagy response to produce FAs for oxidation and ATP supply and amino acids for protein synthesis. (iv) Downregulation of inflammasome nucleotide-bonding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat containing family pyrin containing 3 and interleukin-1ß expression to prevent inflammation. N-3 LCPUFAs induce antioxidant responses due to Nrf2 upregulation, with inflammation resolution being related to production of oxidation products and NF-κB downregulation. Energy supply to achieve liver PC is met by the combined DHA plus T3 protocol through upregulation of AMPK coupled to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α signaling. In conclusion, DHA plus T3 coadministration favors hepatic bioenergetics and lipid homeostasis that is of crucial importance in acute and clinical conditions such as IR, which may be extended to long-term or chronic situations including steatosis in obesity and diabetes. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1211-1220, 2019.

Crosstalk mechanisms in hepatoprotection: Thyroid hormone-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and DHA-extra virgin olive oil combined protocols.

Normal liver function includes a number of metabolic processes, secretion of cellular mediators and its role in immunobiology; these require a high energy supply, which is further enhanced under adverse conditions triggering hepatic disorders or injury due to the operation of counteracting mechanisms. Alterations in oxygen availability, such as ischemia-reperfusion (IR) leading to liver inflammation and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis, are noxious responses encountered in hepatic surgery and obesity, respectively. Several strategies have been developed to attenuate or prevent these disorders, including thyroid hormone (T3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). These hormetic agents that exert beneficial effects in the low dose range were shown to abrogate IR-induced liver injury effectively in the case of T3, DHA, or their combined administration, whereas DHA plus EVOO attenuate HFD-induced hepatic steatosis, although they can induce adverse effects in other experimental settings. The use of combined hepatoprotective protocols (DHA + T3 or DHA + EVOO) using low doses or reduced supplementation periods is characterized by the stimulation of different types of molecular defensive mechanisms and similar signaling processes that exhibit synergism, thus constituting suitable experimental liver pharmacological preconditioning strategies with possible future clinical applications.

Hydroxytyrosol prevents reduction in liver activity of Δ-5 and Δ-6 desaturases, oxidative stress, and depletion in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content in different tissues of high-fat diet fed mice.

BACKGROUND: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n-6) are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) with relevant roles in the organism. EPA and DHA are synthesized from the precursor alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3n-3), whereas AA is produced from linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6) through the action of Δ5 and Δ6-desaturases. High-fat diet (HFD) decreases the activity of both desaturases and LCPUFA accretion in liver and other tissues. Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a natural antioxidant, has an important cytoprotective effects in different cells and tissues. METHODS: Male mice C57BL/6 J were fed a control diet (CD) (10% fat, 20% protein, 70% carbohydrates) or a HFD (60% fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrates) for 12 weeks. Animals were daily supplemented with saline (CD) or 5 mg HT (HFD), and blood and the studied tissues were analyzed after the HT intervention. Parameters studied included liver histology (optical microscopy), activity of hepatic desaturases 5 and 6 (gas-liquid chromatography of methyl esters derivatives) and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase by spectrophotometry), oxidative stress indicators (glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactants, and the antioxidant capacity of plasma), gene expression assays for sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) (qPCR and ELISA), and LCPUFA profiles in liver, erythrocyte, brain, heart, and testicle (gas-liquid chromatography). RESULTS: HFD led to insulin resistance and liver steatosis associated with SREBP-1c upregulation, with enhancement in plasma and liver oxidative stress status and diminution in the synthesis and storage of n-6 and n-3 LCPUFAs in the studied tissues, compared to animals given control diet. HT supplementation significantly reduced fat accumulation in liver and plasma as well as tissue metabolic alterations induced by HFD. Furthermore, a normalization of desaturase activities, oxidative stress-related parameters, and tissue n-3 LCPUFA content was observed in HT-treated rats over control animals. CONCLUSIONS: HT supplementation prevents metabolic alterations in desaturase activities, oxidative stress status, and n-3 LCPUFA content in the liver and extrahepatic tissues of mice fed HFD.

Hydroxytyrosol and Cytoprotection: A Projection for Clinical Interventions.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) ((3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol) is a polyphenol mainly present in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) but also in red wine. It has a potent antioxidant effect related to hydrogen donation, and the ability to improve radical stability. The phenolic content of olive oil varies between 100 and 600 mg/kg, due to multiple factors (place of cultivation, climate, variety of the olive and level of ripening at the time of harvest), with HT and its derivatives providing half of that content. When consumed, EVOO's phenolic compounds are hydrolyzed in the stomach and intestine, increasing levels of free HT which is then absorbed in the small intestine, forming phase II metabolites. It has been demonstrated that HT consumption is safe even at high doses, and that is not genotoxic or mutagenic in vitro. The beneficial effects of HT have been studied in humans, as well as cellular and animal models, mostly in relation to consumption of EVOO. Many properties, besides its antioxidant capacity, have been attributed to this polyphenol. The aim of this review was to assess the main properties of HT for human health with emphasis on those related to the possible prevention and/or treatment of non-communicable diseases.

Hormone resuscitation therapy for brain-dead donors - is insulin beneficial or detrimental?

Hormonal replacement therapy to brain-dead potential organ donors remains controversial. A retrospective study was carried out of hormonal therapy on procurement of organs in 63 593 donors in whom information on thyroid hormone therapy (triiodothyronine or levothyroxine [T3 /T4 ]) was available. In 40 124 donors, T3 /T4 and all other hormonal therapy were recorded. The percentage of all organs procured, except livers, was greater when T3 /T4 had been administered. An independent beneficial effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) was also clear. Corticosteroids were less consistently beneficial (most frequently when T3 /T4 had not been administered), although never detrimental. Insulin was almost never beneficial and at times was associated with a reduced yield of organs, particularly of the pancreas and intestine, an observation that does not appear to have been reported previously. In addition, there was reduced survival at 12 months of recipients of pancreases from T3 /T4 -treated donors, but not of pancreas grafts. The possibly detrimental effect observed following insulin therapy is discussed.

Sub-chronic iron overload triggers oxidative stress development in rat brain: implications for cell protection.

This work was aimed to test the hypothesis that sub-chronic administration of iron-dextran (Fe-dextran) (six doses of 50 mg Fe-dextran/kg) to rats triggers a transient oxidative stress in brain and mechanisms of cellular antioxidant defence. After 2 h of administration of the 6th dose, a significant increase of total Fe, the labile Fe pool (LIP), the lipid radical (LR(•))/α-tocopherol (α-T) content ratio were observed, as compared to values in control brain homogenates. The ascorbyl radical (A(•))/ascorbate (AH(-)) content ratio and the oxidation rate of 2',7'-dichlorodihidrofluorescein (DCFH-DA) were significantly higher in Fe-dextran treated rats, as compared to values in brain from control rats after 4 h treatment. An increase in both catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed at 8 and 1-2 h, respectively. No significant changes were detected in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) levels in nuclear extracts from rat brains after 1-8 h of Fe-dextran administration. After 2 h of Fe administration Fe concentration in cortex, striatum and hippocampus was significantly increased as compared to the same areas from control animals. Both, CAT and SOD activities were significantly increased in cortex after Fe administration over control values, without changes in striatum and hippocampus. Taken as a whole, sub-chronic Fe administration enhances the steady state concentration of Fe in the brain LIP that favors the settlement of an initial oxidative stress condition, both at hydrophilic and lipophilic compartments, resulting in cellular protection evidenced by antioxidant enzyme upregulation.

Thyroid hormone therapy and procurement of livers from brain-dead donors.

Hormonal therapy to brain-dead potential organ donors remains controversial. A retrospective study was carried out of hormonal therapy on procurement of organs in 63,593 donors in whom information on T3/T4 therapy was available. In 40,124 donors, T3/T4 and all other hormonal therapy was recorded. The percentages of all organs procured, except livers, were greater in T3/T4-treated donors. Nevertheless, if T3/T4 therapy had been administered to the donor, liver transplantation was associated with significantly increased graft and recipient survival at 1 month and 12 months. The potential reasons for the lack of effect of T3/T4 therapy on the number of livers procured are discussed.

Thyroid hormone in the frontier of cell protection, survival and functional recovery.

Thyroid hormone (TH) exerts important actions on cellular energy metabolism, accelerating O2 consumption with consequent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and redox signalling affording cell protection, a response that is contributed by redox-independent mechanisms. These processes underlie genomic and non-genomic pathways, which are integrated and exhibit hierarchical organisation. ROS production led to the activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factors nuclear factor-κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, activating protein 1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, promoting cell protection and survival by TH. These features involve enhancement in the homeostatic potential including antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antiinflammatory and cell proliferation responses, besides higher detoxification capabilities and energy supply through AMP-activated protein kinase upregulation. The above aspects constitute the molecular basis for TH-induced preconditioning of the liver that exerts protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury, a strategy also observed in extrahepatic organs of experimental animals and with other types of injury, which awaits application in the clinical setting. Noteworthy, re-adjusting TH to normal levels results in several beneficial effects; for example, it lengthens the cold storage time of organs for transplantation from brain-dead donors; allows a superior neurological outcome in infants of <28 weeks of gestation; reduces the cognitive side-effects of lithium and improves electroconvulsive therapy in patients with bipolar disorders.

Relevant Aspects of Nutritional and Dietary Interventions in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main cause of liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is linked to circumstances such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Since the obesity figures and related comorbidities are increasing, NAFLD has turned into a liver problem that has become progressively more common. Currently, there is no effective drug therapy for NAFLD; therefore, interventions in lifestyles remain the first line of treatment. Bearing in mind that adherence rates to this type of treatment are poor, great efforts are currently focused on finding novel therapeutic agents for the prevention in the development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. This review presents a compilation of the scientific evidence found in the last years showing the results of interventions in lifestyle, diet, and behavioral therapies and research results in human, animal and cell models. Possible therapeutic agents ranging from supplementation with vitamins, amino acids, prebiotics, probiotics, symbiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols to interventions with medicinal plants are analyzed.

Relevant Aspects of Combined Protocols for Prevention of N(M)AFLD and Other Non-Communicable Diseases.

Obesity is a global health issue characterized by the excessive fat accumulation, leading to an increased risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which can progress from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, there are no approved pharmacological protocols for prevention/treatment of MAFLD, and due the complexity lying beneath these mechanisms, monotherapies are unlikely to be efficacious. This review article analyzes the possibility that NCDs can be prevented or attenuated by the combination of bioactive substances, as they could promote higher response rates, maximum reaction results, additive or synergistic effects due to compounds having similar or different mechanisms of action and/or refraining possible side effects, related to the use of lower doses and exposures times than monotherapies. Accordingly, prevention of mouse MAFLD is observed with the combination of the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid with the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol, whereas attenuation of mild cognitive impairment is attained by folic acid plus cobalamin in elderly patients. The existence of several drawbacks underlying published monotherapies or combined trials, opens space for adequate and stricter experimental and clinical tryouts to achieve meaningful outcomes with human applicability.

Protein concentrations and activities of fatty acid desaturase and elongase enzymes in liver, brain, testicle, and kidney from mice: Substrate dependency.

The synthesis rates of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in rodents and humans are not agreed upon and depend on substrate availability independently of the capacity for synthesis. Therefore, we aimed to assess the activities of the enzymes for n-3 and n-6 PUFA synthesis pathways in liver, brain, testicle, kidney, heart, and lung, in relation to their protein concentration levels. Eight-week-old Balb/c mice (n = 8) were fed a standard chow diet (6.2% fat, 18.6% protein, and 44.2% carbohydrates) until 14 weeks of age, anesthetized with isoflurane and tissue samples were collected (previously perfused) and stored at -80°C. The protein concentration of the enzymes (Δ-6D, Δ-5D, Elovl2, and Elovl5) were assessed by ELISA kits; their activities were assayed using specific PUFA precursors and measuring the respective PUFA products as fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatographic analysis. The liver had the highest capacity for PUFA biosynthesis, with limited activity in the brain, testicles, and kidney, while we failed to detect activity in the heart and lung. The protein concentration and activity of the enzymes were significantly correlated. Furthermore, Δ-6D, Δ-5D, and Elovl2 have a higher affinity for n-3 PUFA precursors compared to n-6 PUFA. The capacity for PUFA synthesis in mice mainly resides in the liver, with enzymes having preference for n-3 PUFAs.

Reestablishment of ischemia-reperfusion liver injury by N-acetylcysteine administration prior to a preconditioning iron protocol.

The role of iron (Fe)-induced prooxidant status in Fe preconditioning against ischemia (1 h)-reperfusion (20 h) induced liver injury was assessed using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (1 g/kg) before Fe (50 mg/kg), given to male Sprague Dawley rats on alternate days during 10 days. IR significantly increased serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, with drastic changes in liver histology, hepatic glutathione depletion, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 diminution (P < 0.05) (ELISA). Fe-induced liver oxidative stress, as evidenced by higher protein carbonyl/glutathione content ratios (P < 0.05) at days 11 and 12 after treatment, was abolished by NAC. Under these conditions, short-term Fe administration exerted significant protection against IR liver injury, as shown by 85% and 60% decreases in IR-induced serum AST and ALT (P < 0.05), respectively, and normalization of hepatic histology, glutathione levels, and NF-κB activation, changes that were suppressed by NAC administration prior to Fe. Results of this study indicate that NAC administration prior to an iron protocol reestablishes IR liver injury, supporting the role of Fe-induced transient oxidative stress in hepatoprotection and its potential clinical application.

Potential Clinical Applications of Pro-Resolving Lipids Mediators from Docosahexaenoic Acid.

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, DHA) is the precursor of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), such as resolvin, protectin, and maresin families which have been considered therapeutic bioactive compounds for human health. Growing evidence indicates that DHA and SPMs are beneficial strategies in the amelioration, regulation, and duration of inflammatory processes through different biological actions. The present review discusses the reported therapeutic benefits of SPMs on various diseases and their potential clinical applications.

Dietary and Nutritional Interventions in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Pediatrics.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is pediatrics' most common chronic liver disease. The incidence is high in children and adolescents with obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of disease progression. Currently, there is no effective drug therapy in pediatrics; therefore, lifestyle interventions remain the first line of treatment. This review aims to present an updated compilation of the scientific evidence for treating this pathology, including lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and dietary changes, highlighting specific nutritional strategies. The bibliographic review was carried out in different databases, including studies within the pediatric population where dietary and/or nutritional interventions were used to treat NAFLD. Main interventions include diets low in carbohydrates, free sugars, fructose, and lipids, in addition to healthy eating patterns and possible nutritional interventions with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA), amino acids (cysteine, L-carnitine), cysteamine, vitamins, and probiotics (one strain or multi-strain). Lifestyle changes remain the main recommendation for children with NAFLD. Nevertheless, more studies are required to elucidate the effectiveness of specific nutrients and bioactive compounds in this population.

Effects of ethanol on CYP2E1 levels and related oxidative stress using a standard balanced diet.

Expression of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) is very much influenced by nutritional factors, especially carbohydrate consumption, and various results concerning the expression of CYP2E1 were obtained with a low-carbohydrate diet. This study describes the effects of ethanol treatment on CYP2E1 levels and its relationship with oxidative stress using a balanced standard diet to avoid low or high carbohydrate consumption. Rats were fed for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks a commercial diet plus an ethanol-sucrose solution. The results have shown that ethanol administration was associated with CYP2E1 induction and stabilization without related oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that experimental models with a low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet produce some undesirable CYP2E1 changes that are not present when a balanced standard diet is given.

Metabolic basis for thyroid hormone liver preconditioning: upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling.

The liver is a major organ responsible for most functions of cellular metabolism and a mediator between dietary and endogenous sources of energy for extrahepatic tissues. In this context, adenosine-monophosphate- (AMP-) activated protein kinase (AMPK) constitutes an intrahepatic energy sensor regulating physiological energy dynamics by limiting anabolism and stimulating catabolism, thus increasing ATP availability. This is achieved by mechanisms involving direct allosteric activation and reversible phosphorylation of AMPK, in response to signals such as energy status, serum insulin/glucagon ratio, nutritional stresses, pharmacological and natural compounds, and oxidative stress status. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) lead to cellular AMPK activation and downstream signaling under several experimental conditions. Thyroid hormone (L-3,3',5-triiodothyronine, T(3)) administration, a condition that enhances liver ROS generation, triggers the redox upregulation of cytoprotective proteins affording preconditioning against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) liver injury. Data discussed in this work suggest that T(3)-induced liver activation of AMPK may be of importance in the promotion of metabolic processes favouring energy supply for the induction and operation of preconditioning mechanisms. These include antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, repair or resynthesis of altered biomolecules, induction of the homeostatic acute-phase response, and stimulation of liver cell proliferation, which are required to cope with the damaging processes set in by IR.