A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet leads to unfavorable changes in blood lipid profiles compared to carbohydrate-rich diets with different glycemic indices in recreationally active men.

Objective: In addition to recent discussions of low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets (LCHF) from a performance perspective, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding influence of the combined effect of an exercise and nutritional intervention, which varies in carbohydrate (CHO) intake and glycemic indices, on blood lipid levels in recreationally active men. Methods: A total of 65 male runners (VO2 peak = 55 ± 8 mL·min-1·kg-1) completed a 10-week ad libitum nutritional regimen (LOW-GI: ≥ 65% low GI CHO per day, n = 24; HIGH-GI: ≥ 65% high GI CHO per day, n = 20; LCHF: ≤ 50 g CHO daily, n = 21) with a concurrent prescribed endurance training intervention. Fasting total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined before and after the intervention. Additionally, 24-h dietary recalls were completed twice weekly. Results: Following the intervention, TC was significantly higher in LCHF (196 ± 37 mg·dL-1) compared to both LOW-GI (171 ± 41 mg·dL-1) and HIGH-GI (152 ± 28 mg·dL-1, p < 0.001). Additionally, LDL-C levels increased in LCHF (+17 ± 21 mg·dL-1, p = 0.001), while they decreased in both CHO groups (p < 0.05, respectively). Only the HIGH-GI group demonstrated a significant reduction in HDL-C (-3 ± 9 mg·dL-1, p = 0.006), while a decrease in TG was only significant in LOW-GI (-18 ± 36 mg·dL-1, p = 0.008). Conclusion: Although mean blood lipid levels remained within the normal range, the data indicate that a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet leads to unfavorable changes in individual blood lipid profiles compared to carbohydrate-rich diets. Therefore, it is recommended that the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet on blood lipids be considered when counseling active and healthy individuals.

8-Hy-droxy-quinolinium tri-chlorido-(pyridine-2,6-di-carb-oxy-lic acid-κ3 O,N,O')copper(II) dihydrate.

The title compound, (C9H8NO)[CuCl3(C7H5NO4)]·2H2O, was prepared by reacting CuII acetate dihydrate, solid 8-hy-droxy-quinoline (8-HQ), and solid pyridine-2,6-di-carb-oxy-lic acid (H2pydc), in a 1:1:1 molar ratio, in an aqueous solution of dilute hydro-chloric acid. The CuII atom exhibits a distorted CuO2NCl3 octa-hedral geometry, coordinating two oxygen atoms and one nitro-gen atom from the tridentate H2pydc ligand and three chloride atoms; the nitro-gen atom and one chloride atom occupy the axial positions with Cu-N and Cu-Cl bond lengths of 2.011 (2) Šand 2.2067 (9) Å, respectively. In the equatorial plane, the oxygen and chloride atoms are arranged in a cis configuration, with Cu-O bond lengths of 2.366 (2) and 2.424 (2) Å, and Cu-Cl bond lengths of 2.4190 (10) and 2.3688 (11) Å. The asymmetric unit contains 8-HQ+ as a counter-ion and two uncoordinated water mol-ecules. The crystal structure features strong O-H⋯O and O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds as well as weak inter-actions including C-H⋯O, C-H⋯Cl, Cu-Cl⋯π, and π-π, which result in a three-dimensional network. A Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing involving the main residues are from H⋯Cl/Cl⋯H inter-actions, contributing 40.3% for the anion. Weak H⋯H contacts contribute 13.2% for the cation and 28.6% for the anion.

Carbohydrate Counting: A Bibliometric Analysis with a Focus on Research.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion, activity, or both. Carbohydrate counting, known for optimal metabolic control, plays in the therapeutic strategy in diabetes. In the last decade, an increasing amount of research has been conducted on carbohydrate counting, and the literature on this topic has been published in academic journals. This bibliometric analysis aimed to comprehensively review and analyze publications from this period, shedding light on trends, developments, and key contributors. The Expanded Science Citation Index published by the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science, which covers English-language articles published from 1993 to 2024, was used. We selected "carbohydrate counting", "carbohydrate count", "carbohydrate counts", "carbohydrate counts", and similar words as "TOPIC" to search for related articles. All basic information about each article were collected, including authors, countries, citations, and keywords. The findings emphasized the need for continued research in this area and to learn more about studies showing the relationship between carbohydrate counting and the pathophysiology of diabetes, treatment, complications, and technologies. This analysis summarizes the general trends and key findings of research on carbohydrate counting over the past years and provides guidance for future research.

Mixed methods evaluation of a low-carbohydrate high-fat nutrition education program for women from underserved communities in South Africa.

South Africa faces a dual burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and communicable diseases, exacerbated by the high consumption of processed foods. The Eat Better South Africa (EBSA) program implements community-based low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) interventions to address these issues. This study evaluated the impact of EBSA's 6-week program on the metabolic health and well-being of 32 women from underserved communities. It assessed outcomes before, immediately after, and six months post-intervention (n = 21). Quantitative findings showed significant improvements in key health markers. After six months, participants experienced an average weight loss of 5.6 kg (+- 5.5), a BMI reduction of 2 kg/m2, and a waist circumference decrease of 6.6 cm. Blood pressure dropped by 10.7 mmHg on average, and fasting glucose levels decreased significantly. Reductions were also observed in triglycerides and HbA1c, indicating better glycemic control. Liver function markers (GGT, ALT) and inflammation markers (CRP) improved as well. Qualitative analysis highlighted several key themes: participants were motivated by a desire to improve their health and lose weight but faced challenges such as social pressures, community violence, and scepticism about the diet's affordability and sustainability. Despite these barriers, positive experiences like increased energy and better hunger control were reported. Participants expressed the need for ongoing support to maintain these changes, both from the program and from their community. These findings suggest that LCHF diets can effectively manage metabolic conditions, but long-term adherence is challenged by socio-economic factors. The study highlights the importance of community-based interventions and highlights the need for further research to develop sustainable health strategies in low-income settings.

Comprehensive analysis of systemic, metabolic, and molecular changes following prospective change to low-carbohydrate diet in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in India.

Purpose: South Asians, especially Indians, face higher diabetes-related risks despite lower body mass index (BMI) compared with the White population. Limited research connects low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF)/ketogenic diets to metabolic changes in this group. Systematic studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of the diet, such as ocular health. Method: In this prospective, observational study, 465 candidates aged 25-75 years with type 2 diabetes included with institutional ethics approval. A total of 119 subjects were included in the final study assessment based on the availability of pathophysiological reports, tears, and blood samples collected at baseline, 3rd, and 6th months. Serum and tear samples were analyzed by an enzyme-linked lectinsorbent assay, to examine secreted soluble protein biomarkers, such as IL-1ß (interleukin 1 Beta), IL-6 (interleukin 6), IL-10 (interleukin 10), IL-17A (interleukin 17A), MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9), ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor A), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha). A Wilcoxon test was performed for paired samples. Spearman's correlation was applied to test the strength and direction of the association between tear biomarkers and HbA1c. p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: After a 3- and 6-month LCHF intervention, fasting blood sugar decreased by 10% (Δ: -14 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) and 7% (Δ: -8 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), respectively. Glycated hemoglobin A1c levels decreased by 13% (Δ: -1%; p < 0.0001) and 9% (Δ: -0.6%; p < 0.0001). Triglycerides reduced by 22% (Δ: -27 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) and 14% (Δ: -19 mg/dL; p < 0.0001). Total cholesterol reduced by 5.4% (Δ: -10.5 mg/dL; p < 0.003) and 4% (Δ: -7 mg/dL; p < 0.03), while low-density lipoprotein decreased by 10% (Δ: -11.5 mg/dL; p < 0.003) and 9% (Δ: -11 mg/dL; p < 0.002). High-density lipoprotein increased by 11% (Δ: 5 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) and 17% (Δ: 8 mg/dL; p < 0.0001). At the first follow-up, tear proteins such as ICAM-1, IL-17A, and TNF-α decreased by 30% (Δ: -2,739 pg/mL; p < 0.01), 22% (Δ: -4.5 pg/mL; p < 0.02), and 34% (Δ: -0.9 pg/mL; p < 0.002), respectively. At the second follow-up, IL-1ß and TNF-α reduced by 41% (Δ: -2.4 pg/mL; p < 0.05) and 34% (Δ: -0.67 pg/mL; p < 0.02). Spearman's correlation between HbA1c and tear analytes was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The LCHF diet reduces the risk of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Changes in tear fluid protein profiles were observed, but identifying promising candidate biomarkers requires validation in a larger cohort.

Beneficial Effects of the Ketogenic Diet on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD/MAFLD).

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is likely to be approaching 38% of the world's population. It is predicted to become worse and is the main cause of morbidity and mortality due to hepatic pathologies. It is particularly worrying that NAFLD is increasingly diagnosed in children and is closely related, among other conditions, to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Against this background is the concern that the awareness of patients with NAFLD is low; in one study, almost 96% of adult patients with NAFLD in the USA were not aware of their disease. Thus, studies on the therapeutic tools used to treat NAFLD are extremely important. One promising treatment is a well-formulated ketogenic diet (KD). The aim of this paper is to present a review of the available publications and the current state of knowledge of the effect of the KD on NAFLD. This paper includes characteristics of the key factors (from the point of view of NAFLD regression), on which ketogenic diet exerts its effects, i.e., reduction in insulin resistance and body weight, elimination of fructose and monosaccharides, limitation of the total carbohydrate intake, anti-inflammatory ketosis state, or modulation of gut microbiome and metabolome. In the context of the evidence for the effectiveness of the KD in the regression of NAFLD, this paper also suggests the important role of taking responsibility for one's own health through increasing self-monitoring and self-education.

Dual feedback inhibition of ATP-dependent caffeate activation economizes ATP in caffeate-dependent electron bifurcation.

The acetogen Acetobacterium woodii couples caffeate reduction with ferredoxin reduction and NADH oxidation via electron bifurcation, providing additional reduced ferredoxin for energy conservation and cell synthesis. Caffeate is first activated by an acyl-CoA synthetase (CarB), which ligates CoA to caffeate at the expense of ATP. After caffeoyl-CoA is reduced to hydrocaffeoyl-CoA, the CoA moiety in hydrocaffeoyl-CoA could be recycled for caffeoyl-CoA synthesis by an ATP-independent CoA transferase (CarA) to save energy. However, given that CarA and CarB are co-expressed, it was not well understood how ATP could be saved when both two competitive pathways of caffeate activation are present. Here, we reported a dual feedback inhibition of the CarB-mediated caffeate activation by the intermediate hydrocaffeoyl-CoA and the end-product hydrocaffeate. As the product of CarA, hydrocaffeate inhibited CarB-mediated caffeate activation by serving as another substrate of CarB with hydrocaffeoyl-CoA produced. It effectively competed with caffeate even at a concentration much lower than caffeate. Hydrocaffeoyl-CoA formed in this process can also inhibit CarB-mediated caffeate activation. Thus, the dual feedback inhibition of CarB, together with the faster kinetics of CarA, makes the ATP-independent CarA-mediated CoA loop the major route for caffeoyl-CoA synthesis, further saving ATP in the caffeate-dependent electron-bifurcating pathway. A genetic architecture similar to carABC has been found in other anaerobic bacteria, suggesting that the feedback inhibition of acyl-CoA ligases could be a widely employed strategy for ATP conservation in those pathways requiring substrate activation by CoA. IMPORTANCE: This study reports a dual feedback inhibition of caffeoyl-CoA synthetase by two downstream products, hydrocaffeate and hydrocaffeoyl-CoA. It elucidates how such dual feedback inhibition suppresses ATP-dependent caffeoyl-CoA synthesis, hence making the ATP-independent route the main pathway of caffeate activation. This newly discovered mechanism contributes to our current understanding of ATP conservation during the caffeate-dependent electron-bifurcating pathway in the ecologically important acetogen Acetobacterium woodii. Bioinformatic mining of microbial genomes revealed contiguous genes homologous to carABC within the genomes of other anaerobes from various environments, suggesting this mechanism may be widely used in other CoA-dependent electron-bifurcating pathways.

Effects of Different Carbohydrate Content Diet on Gut Microbiota and Aortic Calcification in Diabetic Mice.

Introduction: Vascular calcification is a major cause of cardiovascular accidents in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the impact of carbohydrates on gut microbiota and aortic calcification in diabetic ApoE-/- mice. Methods: The diabetic ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: ketogenic diet group, low carbohydrate diet group, medium carbohydrate diet group, and high carbohydrate diet group. The mice were fed continuously for 6 months, with blood glucose, blood ketone and body weight monitored monthly. Lipid metabolism indicators and inflammatory factors were detected using ELISA. The intestinal barrier, atherosclerotic lesion areas, and vascular calcifications were analyzed based on their morphology. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA genes. Results: We found that ketogenic diet played some roles improving glucose, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. Ketogenic diet could improve the intestinal barrier to some extent and increase intestinal bacteria. Compared to the other three groups, the relative abundance of genus Allobaculum, species Blautia producta and Clostridium Ramosum in the ketogenic diet group was significantly increased (P <0.05), which has protective effects in diabetic ApoE-/- mice. Conclusion: Ketogenic diet could delay the onset of aortic atherosclerosis, aortic calcification and improve intestinal barrier function in diabetic ApoE-/- mice.

Predictability of Insulin Resistance Based on the Clinical Manifestations Among Male Medical Students of a Private College in Saudi Arabia.

Background Numerous clinical signs and symptoms are thought to be associated with insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of insulin resistance among male medical students attending a private Saudi Arabian institution, based on clinical indications. Methods A convenient non-probability sample consisting of 241 male medical students was used to conduct cross-sectional research. Each participant had an in-person interview as well as anthropometric measurements. The interview consisted of a questionnaire that was used to assess demographic data and clinical manifestations related to insulin resistance. Results The study demonstrated the connection between a few dermatological symptoms and waist circumference as an indicator of insulin resistance. In both the high and normal waist circumference groups, acne was the most common symptom. There was no correlation found between waist circumference and psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, androgenic alopecia, alopecia areata, or vitiligo. Nevertheless, as an indicator of insulin resistance, waist circumference was statistically significantly correlated with both skin tags and acanthosis nigricans. Most students had excessive day sleep, foggy brains, struggled with planning and solving problems, and had a memory that became worse in the past few years. In addition, many students feel hungry even after eating some sweets and usually have extreme thirst. Conclusion Among medical students, skin tags, acanthosis nigricans, and acne were the most prevalent dermatological manifestations. Clinicians need to be aware that skin conditions, sleep difficulties throughout the day, changes in cognition, and food cravings might all be indicators of internal changes and/or illnesses such as diabetes and prediabetes.

Persistent Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome in a Caucasian Male in the Absence of Triggers.

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) or Hirata disease is a rare condition presenting as recurrent hypoglycemia, and associated with elevated insulin levels in the presence of insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) in patients who were never exposed to exogenous insulin and with no evidence of pancreatic abnormalities. IAS is much more frequent in East Asians, especially the Japanese population, compared to the lower incidence in Caucasians. However, it can be associated with other autoimmune diseases or drug use like methimazole and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). We report a case of a 47-year-old Caucasian male presenting with a 12-month history of worsening episodes of fasting and post-prandial hypoglycemia associated with symptoms of dizziness, tremors, palpitations, and unconsciousness associated with hypoglycemia. Symptoms resolved with the administration of carbohydrate-containing foods, establishing Whipple's triad. At an outside facility, he had initial labs that showed elevated insulin levels (141 µU/ml) with normal glucose, C-peptide, and proinsulin levels, but there was no availability of an IAA lab assay. Given his symptoms, severity, and frequency of hypoglycemia, he was admitted to the hospital for a 72-hour fast, which showed the lowest glucose level of 64 mg/dl with inappropriately high insulin of 22.2 µU/ml, low C-peptide of 0.57 ng/ml, and undetectable proinsulin of <1.6 pmol/L, but with IAA being >50 U/ml (0.0-0.4 U/ml). He was treated with intensive dietary counseling with a low-carbohydrate diet and prednisone 20 mg twice daily initially. Additionally, he could not tolerate octreotide, diazoxide, and acarbose due to side effects. He is currently on prednisone 10 mg daily and nifedipine with no further hypoglycemic episodes, but still has a high IAA of >50 U/ml and serum insulin levels of 70-112 µU/ml. Our case highlights the importance of recognizing hypoglycemia and checking for IAA levels as first-line diagnostic tests, in the absence of which there could be a delay in diagnosis and leading to unnecessary lab and imaging testing. Our case is unique since it happened in a Caucasian without any prior exposure to a triggering factor and has not undergone self-remission yet, which happens in most of IAS cases.

rac-Hy-droxy-isovaleric acid.

The title compound (systematic name: rac-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid), C5H10O3, is the constitutional isomer of α-hy-droxy-butanoic acid. In the crystal, hydrogen bonds involving the alcoholic hydroxyl group give rise to centrosymmetric dimers that are extended to sheets perpendicular to the crystallographic c axis.

Effects of the low-carb organic Mediterranean diet on testosterone levels and sperm DNA fragmentation.

The causes of male infertility can vary. Lifestyles, environmental factors, stressful conditions, and socio-economic conditions are significant factors. Diet plays a crucial role in improving a man's reproductive capacity. The appropriate diet should be diverse and ensure the intake of all the necessary nutrients to enhance sperm quality. The Mediterranean diet, which includes high amounts of vegetables and fruits rich in detoxifying and antioxidant substances, as well as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and microelements, especially when consumed with organic foods and a lower carbohydrate regimen, are the key aspects addressed in this study. The objective of this research was to modify the diets of 50 subfertile men by providing them with a specific nutritional plan. This plan included consuming 80% organic foods, introducing whole grains and low glycemic load options, eliminating refined carbohydrates, consuming green leafy vegetables and red fruits daily, reducing or eliminating dairy products, consuming primarily grass-fed meat and wild caught seafood, eliminating saturated fats in favor of healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts. After three months of adhering to the low-carb food plan, testosterone levels significantly increased, while sperm DNA fragmentation decreased in a subgroup of individuals who reduced their carbohydrate intake by 35%.

Corrigendum: CARB-ES-19 multicenter study of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli from all Spanish provinces reveals interregional spread of high-risk clones such as ST307/OXA-48 and ST512/KPC-3.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.918362.].

Feasibility and impact of ketogenic dietary interventions in polycystic kidney disease: KETO-ADPKD-a randomized controlled trial.

Ketogenic dietary interventions (KDIs) are beneficial in animal models of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). KETO-ADPKD, an exploratory, randomized, controlled trial, is intended to provide clinical translation of these findings (NCT04680780). Sixty-six patients were randomized to a KDI arm (ketogenic diet [KD] or water fasting [WF]) or the control group. Both interventions induce significant ketogenesis on the basis of blood and breath acetone measurements. Ninety-five percent (KD) and 85% (WF) report the diet as feasible. KD leads to significant reductions in body fat and liver volume. Additionally, KD is associated with reduced kidney volume (not reaching statistical significance). Interestingly, the KD group exhibits improved kidney function at the end of treatment, while the control and WF groups show a progressive decline, as is typical in ADPKD. Safety-relevant events are largely mild, expected (initial flu-like symptoms associated with KD), and transient. Safety assessment is complemented by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lipid profile analyses.

3-Methyl-2-(4-methyl-phen-oxy)benzoic acid.

In the title compound, C15H14O3, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 86.7 (9)°. In the crystal, carb-oxy-lic acid inversion dimers linked by pairwise O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are formed.

Keto Menu-Effect of Ketogenic Menu and Intermittent Fasting on the Biochemical Markers and Body Composition in a Physically Active Man-A Controlled Case Study.

The combination of ketogenic diet (KD) with intermittent fasting (IF) has, for years, aroused a great interest in the scientific world and among healthy lifestyle enthusiasts. Its importance is even greater when the study subjects are physically active individuals. The aim of the study was a determination of the effect of strict calculated ketogenic menu combined with IF and with caloric deficit on the selected biochemical markers and body composition in a 23-year-old man performing strength training. At the same time, we decided to conduct the first so-deeply investigated and controlled case study in this respect. The study protocol included a 13-week-long ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting (of delayed time-restricted eating 16:8 type) and caloric deficit. A detailed menu was designed and was used by the man throughout the whole study duration. A number of blood tests were performed before and after the implemented dietary intervention. Additionally, body composition was determined weekly and the concentrations of glucose and ketone bodies, as well as pulse rate and arterial pressure, were measured daily. The most important changes noted included a significant increase in testosterone and vitamin D concentrations and significant reduction in the HOMA-IR index and concentrations of hepatic enzymes, insulin, glucose, iron, urea, and free triiodothyronine (FT3). Moreover, a significant improvement of body composition occurred (the ratio of total body mass to the adipose and muscular tissue and water mass improved). Favourable changes were also noted in heart rate and arterial pressure values. In view of that, the KD with IF and caloric deficit exerted favourable effects on most biochemical parameters and on body composition and caused an almost twofold increase in serum testosterone concentration.

The Ketogenic Diet and Cardiovascular Diseases.

The most common and increasing causes of death worldwide are cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Taking into account the fact that diet is a key factor, it is worth exploring this aspect of CVD prevention and therapy. The aim of this article is to assess the potential of the ketogenic diet in the prevention and treatment of CVD. The article is a comprehensive, meticulous analysis of the literature in this area, taking into account the most recent studies currently available. The ketogenic diet has been shown to have a multifaceted effect on the prevention and treatment of CVD. Among other aspects, it has a beneficial effect on the blood lipid profile, even compared to other diets. It shows strong anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potential, which is due, among other factors, to the anti-inflammatory properties of the state of ketosis, the elimination of simple sugars, the restriction of total carbohydrates and the supply of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, ketone bodies provide "rescue fuel" for the diseased heart by affecting its metabolism. They also have a beneficial effect on the function of the vascular endothelium, including improving its function and inhibiting premature ageing. The ketogenic diet has a beneficial effect on blood pressure and other CVD risk factors through, among other aspects, weight loss. The evidence cited is often superior to that for standard diets, making it likely that the ketogenic diet shows advantages over other dietary models in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. There is a legitimate need for further research in this area.

Biochemical and Phylogenetic Analysis of Italian Phaseolus vulgaris Cultivars as Sources of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

Phaseolus vulgaris α-amylase inhibitor (α-AI) is a protein that has recently gained commercial interest, as it inhibits mammalian α-amylase activity, reducing the absorption of dietary carbohydrates. Numerous studies have reported the efficacy of preparations based on this protein on the control of glycaemic peaks in type-2 diabetes patients and in overweight subjects. A positive influence on microbiota regulation has also been described. In this work, ten insufficiently studied Italian P. vulgaris cultivars were screened for α-amylase- and α-glucosidase-inhibiting activity, as well as for the absence of antinutritional compounds, such as phytohemagglutinin (PHA). All the cultivars presented α-glucosidase-inhibitor activity, while α-AI was missing in two of them. Only the Nieddone cultivar (ACC177) had no haemagglutination activity. In addition, the partial nucleotide sequence of the α-AI gene was identified with the degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primer (CODEHOP) strategy to identify genetic variability, possibly linked to functional α-AI differences, expression of the α-AI gene, and phylogenetic relationships. Molecular studies showed that α-AI was expressed in all the cultivars, and a close similarity between the Pisu Grogu and Fasolu cultivars' α-AI and α-AI-4 isoform emerged from the comparison of the partially reconstructed primary structures. Moreover, mechanistic models revealed the interaction network that connects α-AI with the α-amylase enzyme characterized by two interaction hotspots (Asp38 and Tyr186), providing some insights for the analysis of the α-AI primary structure from the different cultivars, particularly regarding the structure-activity relationship. This study can broaden the knowledge about this class of proteins, fuelling the valorisation of Italian agronomic biodiversity through the development of commercial preparations from legume cultivars.

Type 1 diabetes management in a competitive athlete: A five-year case report.

Type I diabetes has an incidence of 15 per 100,000 people. Though it is a metabolic disorder, it can be seen in top, even professional athletes. Physical activity is recommended to manage diabetes, but there is a lack of specific knowledge on diabetes management and exercise from dedicated medical staff. This bias leads to suboptimal diabetes management, causing frequent hyper and hypoglycemia, a dysregulation of glycated hemoglobin, blood glucose out of control, and consequent needs to often intervene with extra insulin or carbohydrates. For 5 years, we followed a highly competitive male Caucasian athlete Vovinam Viet Vo Dao, with type I diabetes, aged 17. We monitored his glycated hemoglobin, the insulin drug administered, and glycemia blood level averages. We obtained, over time, a decrease in glycated hemoglobin by almost -22% and insulin administered by -37.33%, and average blood glycemia levels diminished by almost -27%. In addition, we carried out bioimpedance analysis and stratigraphy on the abdomen. Federation trainers supervised all physical training; we recorded an improvement in the general condition, underlined in particular by an increase in phase angle (from bioimpedance) of +17%.

The Role of NMDA Receptor Partial Antagonist, Carbamathione, as a Therapeutic Agent for Transient Global Ischemia.

Carbamathione (Carb), an NMDA glutamate receptor partial antagonist, has potent neuroprotective functions against hypoxia- or ischemia-induced neuronal injury in cell- or animal-based stroke models. We used PC-12 cell cultures as a cell-based model and bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) for stroke. Whole-cell patch clamp recording in the mouse retinal ganglion cells was performed. Key proteins involved in apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and heat shock proteins were analyzed using immunoblotting. Carb is effective in protecting PC12 cells against glutamate- or hypoxia-induced cell injury. Electrophysiological results show that Carb attenuates NMDA-mediated glutamate currents in the retinal ganglion cells, which results in activation of the AKT signaling pathway and increased expression of pro-cell survival biomarkers, e.g., Hsp 27, P-AKT, and Bcl2 and decreased expression of pro-cell death markers, e.g., Beclin 1, Bax, and Cleaved caspase 3, and ER stress markers, e.g., CHOP, IRE1, XBP1, ATF 4, and eIF2α. Using the BCAO animal stroke model, we found that Carb reduced the brain infarct volume and decreased levels of ER stress markers, GRP 78, CHOP, and at the behavioral level, e.g., a decrease in asymmetric turns and an increase in locomotor activity. These findings for Carb provide promising and rational strategies for stroke therapy.