Early heart and skeletal muscle mitochondrial response to a moderate hypobaric hypoxia environment.

In eukaryotic cells, aerobic energy is produced by mitochondria through oxygen uptake. However, little is known about the early mitochondrial responses to moderate hypobaric hypoxia (MHH) in highly metabolic active tissues. Here, we describe the mitochondrial responses to acute MHH in the heart and skeletal muscle. Rats were randomly allocated into a normoxia control group (n = 10) and a hypoxia group (n = 30), divided into three groups (0, 6, and 24 h post-MHH). The normoxia situation was recapitulated at the University of Granada, at 662 m above sea level. The MHH situation was performed at the High-Performance Altitude Training Centre of Sierra Nevada located in Granada at 2320 m above sea level. We found a significant increase in mitochondrial supercomplex assembly in the heart as soon as the animals reached 2320 m above sea level and their levels are maintained 24 h post-exposure, but not in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, in skeletal muscle, at 0 and 6 h, there was increased dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) expression and a significant reduction in Mitofusin 2. In conclusion, mitochondria from the muscle and heart respond differently to MHH: mitochondrial supercomplexes increase in the heart, whereas, in skeletal muscle, the mitochondrial pro-fission response is trigged. Considering that skeletal muscle was not actively involved in the ascent when the heart was beating faster to compensate for the hypobaric, hypoxic conditions, we speculate that the different responses to MHH are a result of the different energetic requirements of the tissues upon MHH. KEY POINTS: The heart and the skeletal muscle showed different mitochondrial responses to moderate hypobaric hypoxia. Moderate hypobaric hypoxia increases the assembly of the electron transport chain complexes into supercomplexes in the heart. Skeletal muscle shows an early mitochondrial pro-fission response following exposure to moderate hypobaric hypoxia.

Association of Dietary Patterns with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Mexican Adults: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

Dietary patterns (DPs) are an essential tool to analyze the relationship between diet and health as they have presented an association with the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was the identification and characterization of DPs and their association with cardiovascular risk factors. For this purpose, a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 165 Mexican adults, including dietary intakes derived from a validated food frequency questionnaire, clinical history, anthropometry, and biochemical biomarkers using standardized procedures for glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and HDL-c. DPs were identified through principal component analysis and ordinal logistic regression was used to examine associations between DPs and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Three DPs were identified: Mexican Fast-Food, Variety-Food, and Healthy-Economic, with a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (78%). Having a high adherence to a Mexican Fast-Food pattern (OR 1.71 CI 1.4-2.8), being sedentary (OR 4.85 2.32-10.15) and smoking (0R 6.4 CI 2.40-16.9) increased the risk of having a high scale of risk factors (four or more risk factors simultaneously). In conclusion, the Mexican Fast-Food pattern showed an increase in the risk of having multiple risk factors, while a sedentary lifestyle and overeating were largely responsible for the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this group of Mexican adults.

Bioactive Potential of Aqueous Phenolic Extracts of Spices for Their Use in the Food Industry-A Systematic Review.

The interest on the use of natural sources in the food industry has promoted the study of plants' phenolic compounds as potential additives. However, the literature has been focusing on essential oils, with very few studies published regarding aqueous extracts, their phenolic composition, and bioactivity. A systematic review was conducted on different databases following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the relevance of the phenolic content of different aromatic spices (oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, clove, and pepper), as related to their bioactivity and potential application as food additives. Although different extraction methods have been applied in the literature, the use of green approaches using ethanol and deep eutectic solvents has increased, leading to the development of products more apt for human consumption. The studied plants present an interesting phenolic profile, ranging from phenolic acids to flavonoids, establishing a correlation between their phenolic content and bioactivity. In this sense, results have proven to be very promising, presenting those extracts as having similar if not higher bioactivity than synthetic additives already in use, with associated health concerns. Nevertheless, the study of spices' phenolic extracts is somehow limited to in vitro studies. Therefore, research in food matrices is needed for more understanding of factors interfering with their preservation activity.

From Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Liver Cancer: Microbiota and Inflammation as Key Players.

It is estimated that 25% of the world's population has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This disease can advance to a more severe form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease with a greater probability of progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH could be characterized as a necro-inflammatory complication of chronic hepatic steatosis. The combination of factors that lead to NASH and its progression to HCC in the setting of inflammation is not clearly understood. The portal vein is the main route of communication between the intestine and the liver. This allows the transfer of products derived from the intestine to the liver and the hepatic response pathway of bile and antibody secretion to the intestine. The intestinal microbiota performs a fundamental role in the regulation of immune function, but it can undergo changes that alter its functionality. These changes can also contribute to cancer by disrupting the immune system and causing chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, both of which are implicated in cancer development. In this article, we address the link between inflammation, microbiota and HCC. We also review the different in vitro models, as well as recent clinical trials addressing liver cancer and microbiota.

Reduced-sodium roasted chicken: Physical/technological characteristics, optimized KCl-seasoning mixture, consumer perception, liking, emotions, and purchase intent.

For thousands of years, sodium chloride (NaCl) has been used as a preservative and flavor enhancer. In the organism, NaCl plays a role in nerve functions, osmotic pressure, and nutrient absorption. However, high consumption of NaCl could lead to health issues, such as hypertension and heart-related problems. For these reasons, potassium chloride (KCl) has been considered a salt substitute in foods, but KCl could be limited to food matrixes because of its unwanted bitterness and metallic aftertaste. As a result, the objective of this study was to analyze KCl-reduced-sodium roasted chicken in physical/technological characteristics, KCl-seasoning mixture, consumer perception, liking, emotions, and purchase intent (PI). An extreme vertice mixture design decided granulated garlic (74.09%), black pepper (9.95%), smoked paprika (14.47%), and KCl (1.39%) ratio of good seasoning-KCl mixture for roasted chicken based on sensory attributes used on the desirability function methodology. After optimizing the KCl-seasoning blend, NaCl/KCl replacement levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were established and evaluated consumer perception, liking, emotions, and PI. Adding 25% and 50% of KCl showed no significant (p > 0.05) impact on the sensory attributes. Likewise, PI significantly (p < 0.05) increased when utilizing 25% and 50% of KCl after panelists received information about sodium health risks (SHR). Regarding emotional responses, unsafe and worried significantly (p < 0.05) decreased among the highest KCl replacement levels (75% and 100%) after panelists obtained the SHR. Overall liking, gender, age, salt user, and positive emotional responses (satisfied and pleased) were decisive predictors concerning PI among panelists.

Analysis and Screening of Commercialized Protein Supplements for Sports Practice.

Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of the consumption of sports-related supplements. However, the hypothesis is raised that it is necessary to analyze the quality aspects of these supplements in relation to the information provided on the label, to avoid associated risks and obtain the greatest possible benefit from their consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study has been to carry out an analysis or screening of the protein supplements that are currently marketed in Spain. We analyzed the labels of 52 protein sports supplements available both in physical stores and online. The analysis consisted of addressing three relevant aspects considering the labeling: (a) the legislative framework in which the supplements are marketed, (b) the quality of the protein, and (c) the presence of other ingredients according to the specifications of the label. In the legislative context, there do not seem to be any specific regulations to guarantee consumer protection, which can lead to unfair practices and misleading advertising. Most of the supplements analyzed to comply with the requirements of their current regulations. However, claims about their benefits that are not allowed under European legislation have been found in some of them. Regarding composition and according to label information, the supplements have been found to provide a sufficient dose of protein in terms of recommended protein intake per serving. Regarding the presence of other ingredients and according to the information on the label, most of them, except for egg supplements, contain other ingredients. Colostrum was also found in one of the supplements evaluated. The conclusions of the study reveal that, due to a lack of knowledge or misleading advertising practices, supplements are often not used properly. The information provided is essential for both professionals and consumers to avoid the risks associated with consumption, such as unintentional doping, interactions between ingredients that reduce the quality of the supplement, and consumption of supplements inappropriately, among others.

Effect of Probiotics on Host-Microbiota in Bacterial Infections.

Diseases caused by bacteria cause millions of deaths every year. In addition, the problem of resistance to antibiotics is so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine. This is a very important global problem as some bacteria can also develop persistence. Indeed, the persistence of pathogenic bacteria has evolved as a potent survival strategy to overcome host organisms' defense mechanisms. Additionally, chronic or persistent infections may be caused by persisters which could facilitate antibiotic resistance. Probiotics are considered good bacteria. It has been described that the modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics could have a great potential to counteract the deleterious impact and/or regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection. Probiotics might provide health benefits through the inhibition of pathogen growth or the replacement of pathogenic bacteria. Bearing in mind that current strategies to avoid bacterial persistence and prevent antibiotic resistance are not effective, other strategies need to be assessed. We have carried out a comprehensive review, which included the reported literature between 2016 and 2021, highlighting the clinical trials that reported the probiotics' potential to regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection and focusing in particular on the context of antibiotic resistance and persister cells.

Nutrition and cellular senescence in obesity-related disorders.

Adequate nutrition is vital for immune homeostasis. However, the incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide due to the adoption of the Western diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation which alters the function of adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and the nervous system. Inflammation is related to cellular senescence, distinguished by irreversible cell cycle arrest. Senescent cells secrete the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) which contains pro-inflammatory factors. Targeting processes in senescence might have a salutary approach to obesity. The present review highlights the impact of an unhealthy diet on tissues affected by obesity, and the mechanisms that promote the consequent inflammation and senescence.

Evaluation of Different Advanced Approaches to Simulation of Dynamic In Vitro Digestion of Polyphenols from Different Food Matrices-A Systematic Review.

Phenolic compounds have become interesting bioactive antioxidant compounds with implications for obesity, cancer and inflammatory gastrointestinal pathologies. As the influence of digestion and gut microbiota on antioxidant behavior is yet to be completely elucidated, and due to limitations associated to in vivo studies, dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal models have been promoted. A systematic review was conducted of different databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) following PRISMA guidelines to assess different dynamic digestion models and assay protocols used for phenolic compound research regarding bioaccesibility and interaction with colonic microbiota. Of 284 records identified, those including dynamic multicompartmental digestion models for the study of phenolic compound bioaccesibility, bioactivity and the effects of microbiota were included, with 57 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Different conditions and experimental configurations as well as administered doses, sample treatments and microbiological assays of dynamic digestion studies on polyphenols were recorded and compared to establish their relevance for the dynamic in vitro digestion of phenolic compounds. While similarities were observed in certain experimental areas, a high variability was found in others, such as administered doses. A description of considerations on the study of the digestion of phenolic compounds is proposed to enhance comparability in research.

Physiological Doses of Hydroxytyrosol Modulate Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Exercised Rats.

We tested whether physiological doses of hydroxytyrosol (HT) may alter the mRNA transcription of key metabolic genes in exercised skeletal muscle. Two groups of exercise-trained Wistar rats, HTlow and HTmid, were supplemented with 0.31 and 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT, respectively, for 10 weeks. Another two groups of rats were not supplemented with HT; one remained sedentary and the other one was exercised. After the experimental period, the soleus muscle was removed for qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. The consumption of 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT during exercise increased the mRNA expression of important metabolic proteins. Specifically, 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT may upregulate long-chain fatty acid oxidation, lactate, and glucose oxidation as well as mitochondrial Krebs cycle in trained skeletal muscle. However, a 4.61 mg/kg/d of HT may alter protein translation, as in spite of the increment showed by CD36 and GLUT4 at the mRNA level this was not translated to higher protein content.

Functions of SMYD proteins in biological processes: What do we know? An updated review.

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic modifiers, such as methyltransferases, play crucial roles in the regulation of many biological processes, including development, cancer and multiple physiopathological conditions. SUMMARY: The Su(Var)3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste and Trithorax (SET) and Myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1 (MYND) domain-containing (SMYD) protein family consists of five members in humans and mice (i.e. SMYD1, SMYD2, SMYD3, SMYD4 and SMYD5), which are known or predicted to have methyltransferase activity on histone and non-histone substrates. The abundance of information concerning SMYD2 and SMYD3 is of note, whereas the other members of the SMYD family have not been so thoroughly studied CONCLUSION: Here we review the literature regarding SMYD proteins published in the last five years, including basic molecular biology mechanistic studies using in vitro systems and animal models, as well as human studies with a more translational or clinical approach.

Impact of Dietary Patterns on H. pylori Infection and the Modulation of Microbiota to Counteract Its Effect. A Narrative Review.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the stomach and can induce gastric disease and intra-gastric lesions, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. This bacterium is responsible for long-term complications of gastric disease. The conjunction of host genetics, immune response, bacterial virulence expression, diet, micronutrient availability, and microbiome structure influence the disease outcomes related to chronic H. pylori infection. In this regard, the consumption of unhealthy and unbalanced diets can induce microbial dysbiosis, which infection with H. pylori may contribute to. However, to date, clinical trials have reported controversial results and current knowledge in this field is inconclusive. Here, we review preclinical studies concerning the changes produced in the microbiota that may be related to H. pylori infection, as well as the involvement of diet. We summarize and discuss the last approaches based on the modulation of the microbiota to improve the negative impact of H. pylori infection and their potential translation from bench to bedside.

Hydroxytyrosol modifies skeletal muscle GLUT4/AKT/Rac1 axis in trained rats.

Training induces a number of healthy effects including a rise in skeletal muscle (SKM) glucose uptake. These adaptations are at least in part due to the reactive oxygen species produced within SKM, which is in agreement with the notion that antioxidant supplementation blunts some training-induced adaptations. Here, we tested whether hydroxytyrosol (HT), the main polyphenol of olive oil, would modify the molecular regulators of glucose uptake when HT is supplemented during exercise. Rats were included into sedentary and exercised (EXE) groups. EXE group was further divided into a group consuming a low HT dose (0.31 mg·kg·d; EXElow), a moderate HT dose (4.61 mg·kg·d; EXEmid), and a control group (EXE). EXE raised glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) protein content, Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) activity, and protein kinase b (AKT) phosphorylation in SKM. Furthermore, EXElow blunted GLUT4 protein content and AKT phosphorylation while EXEmid showed a downregulation of the GLUT4/AKT/Rac1 axis. Hence, a low-to-moderate dose of HT, when it is supplemented as an isolated compound, might alter the beneficial effect of training on basal AKT phosphorylation and Rac1 activity in rats.

Plausible Biological Interactions of Low- and Non-Calorie Sweeteners with the Intestinal Microbiota: An Update of Recent Studies.

Sweeteners that are a hundred thousand times sweeter than sucrose are being consumed as sugar substitutes. The effects of sweeteners on gut microbiota composition have not been completely elucidated yet, and numerous gaps related to the effects of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) on health still remain. The NNS aspartame and acesulfame-K do not interact with the colonic microbiota, and, as a result, potentially expected shifts in the gut microbiota are relatively limited, although acesulfame-K intake increases Firmicutes and depletes Akkermansia muciniphila populations. On the other hand, saccharin and sucralose provoke changes in the gut microbiota populations, while no health effects, either positive or negative, have been described; hence, further studies are needed to clarify these observations. Steviol glycosides might directly interact with the intestinal microbiota and need bacteria for their metabolization, thus they could potentially alter the bacterial population. Finally, the effects of polyols, which are sugar alcohols that can reach the colonic microbiota, are not completely understood; polyols have some prebiotics properties, with laxative effects, especially in patients with inflammatory bowel syndrome. In this review, we aimed to update the current evidence about sweeteners' effects on and their plausible biological interactions with the gut microbiota.

Human muscular mitochondrial fusion in athletes during exercise.

The main objective of this work was to investigate whether mitochondrial fusion occurs in the skeletal muscle of well-trained athletes in response to high-intensity exercise. Well-trained swimmers (n = 9) performed a duration-matched sprint interval training (SIT) and high-intensity high-volume training (HIHVT) session on separate days. Muscle samples from triceps brachii were taken before, immediately after, and 3 h after the training sessions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was applied to assess mitochondrial morphology. Moreover, expression of genes coding for regulators of mitochondrial fusion and fission were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. In addition, mitofusin (MFN)2 and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) were quantified by Western blot analysis. TEM analyses showed that mitochondrial morphology remained altered for 3 h after HIHVT, whereas SIT-induced changes were only evident immediately after exercise. Only SIT increased MFN1 and MFN2 mRNA expression, whereas SIT and HIHVT both increased MFN2 protein content 3 h after exercise. Notably, only HIHVT increased OPA1 protein content. Mitochondrial morphologic changes that suggest fusion occurs in well-adapted athletes during exercise. However, HIHVT appears as a more robust inducer of mitochondrial fusion events than SIT. Indeed, SIT induces a rapid and transient change in mitochondrial morphology.-Huertas, J. R., Ruiz-Ojeda, F. J., Plaza-Díaz, J., Nordsborg, N. B., Martín-Albo, J., Rueda-Robles, A., Casuso, R. A. Human muscular mitochondrial fusion in athletes during exercise.

Hydroxytyrosol influences exercise-induced mitochondrial respiratory complex assembly into supercomplexes in rats.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) has been demonstrated to improve mitochondrial function, both in sedentary and in exercised animals. Herein, we assessed the effects of two different doses of HT on exercise-induced mitochondrial respiratory complex (C) assembly into supercomplexes (SCs) and the relation of the potential results to OPA1 levels and oxidative stress. Wistar rats were allocated into six groups: sedentary (SED), sedentary consuming 20 mg/kg/d of HT (SED-20), sedentary consuming 300 mg/kg/d of HT (SED-300); exercised (EXE), exercised consuming 20 mg/kg/d of HT (EXE-20) and exercised consuming 300 mg/kg/d of HT (EXE-300). Animals were exercised and/or supplemented for 10 weeks, and assembly of SCs, mitochondrial oxidative status and expression of OPA1 were quantified in the gastrocnemius muscle. Both EXE and EXE-20 animals exhibited increased assembly of CI into SCs, but this effect was absent in EXE-300 animals. Levels of CIII2 assembled into SCs were only increased in EXE-20 animals. Notably EXE-300 animals showed a decreased relative expression of s-OPA1 isoforms. Therefore, HT exerted dose-dependent effects on SC assembly in exercised animals. Although the mechanisms leading to SCs assembly in response to exercise and HT are unclear, it seems that a high HT dose can prevent SCs assembly during exercise by decreasing the expression of the s-OPA1 isoforms.

Serum zinc and copper concentrations and ratios in cirrhotic patients: correlation with severity index.

INTRODUCTION: zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential elements that play an important role in the whole-body metabolism and seems to have a role in the pathogenesis of the liver cirrhosis (LC). OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study is to evaluate the influence on serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Cu/Zn ratios of different factors like cirrhosis, severity index, age, sex, death, and disease complications. METHODS: ninety-three patients with LC were included. The severity index was measured by the Child-Pugh index (CPI). RESULTS: mean serum Cu concentration and Cu/Zn ratio were significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls (p ≤ 0.001). Serum Zn concentrations were reduced with higher cirrhosis severity (specifically low vsmedium severity CPI, p < 0.05). Mean serum Cu concentration was significantly higher in the oldest (> 50 years) versusyoungest (< 30 years) age group. Serum Zn concentrations were lower and Cu/Zn ratios were higher (p < 0.05) in patients that died. Among complications, significantly higher serum Zn concentrations were found in cirrhotic patients with ascites than in those with bacteremia-sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: levels of Zn, Cu and Cu/Zn ratio are affected by the presence of hepatic cirrhosis. Serum Zn concentrations are lower with higher severity of cirrhosis, while those for Cu are increased in cirrhotic patients. We can observe that the presence of elevated Cu/Zn ratios in these patients might be useful in the evaluation of suspected liver cirrhosis.