Whole Alga, Algal Extracts, and Compounds as Ingredients of Functional Foods: Composition and Action Mechanism Relationships in the Prevention and Treatment of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major systemic disease which involves impaired pancreatic function and currently affects half a billion people worldwide. Diet is considered the cornerstone to reduce incidence and prevalence of this disease. Algae contains fiber, polyphenols, ω-3 PUFAs, and bioactive molecules with potential antidiabetic activity. This review delves into the applications of algae and their components in T2DM, as well as to ascertain the mechanism involved (e.g., glucose absorption, lipids metabolism, antioxidant properties, etc.). PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were used. Papers in which whole alga, algal extracts, or their isolated compounds were studied in in vitro conditions, T2DM experimental models, and humans were selected and discussed. This review also focuses on meat matrices or protein concentrate-based products in which different types of alga were included, aimed to modulate carbohydrate digestion and absorption, blood glucose, gastrointestinal neurohormones secretion, glycosylation products, and insulin resistance. As microbiota dysbiosis in T2DM and metabolic alterations in different organs are related, the review also delves on the effects of several bioactive algal compounds on the colon/microbiota-liver-pancreas-brain axis. As the responses to therapeutic diets vary dramatically among individuals due to genetic components, it seems a priority to identify major gene polymorphisms affecting potential positive effects of algal compounds on T2DM treatment.

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Croton hypoleucus Extract in an Induced-Necrosis Model in Rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Croton hypoleucus (EC). The present work reports the first pharmacological, toxicological, and antioxidant studies of EC extract on liver injury. Liver necrosis was induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Five groups were established: Croton Extract (EC), thioacetamide (TAA), Croton extract with thioacetamide (EC + TAA), vitamin E with thioacetamide (VE + TAA) and the positive control and vehicle (CT). For EC and EC + TAA, Wistar rats (n = 8) were intragastrically pre-administered for 4 days with EC (300 mg/kg.day) and on the last day, EC + TAA received a single dose of TAA (400 mg/kg). At 24 h after damage induction, animals were sacrificed. In vitro activity and gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat), and Nrf2 nuclear factor were measured. The results show that EC has medium antioxidant properties, with an IC50 of 0.63 mg/mL and a ferric-reducing power of 279.8 µM/mg. Additionally, EC reduced hepatic damage markers at 24 h after TAA intoxication; also, it increased SOD and Cat gene expression against TAA by controlling antioxidant defense levels. Our findings demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of EC by reducing hepatic damage markers and controlling antioxidant defense levels. Further studies are necessary to identify the mechanism of this protection.

Silicon as a Functional Meat Ingredient Improves Jejunal and Hepatic Cholesterol Homeostasis in a Late-Stage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat Model.

Silicon included in a restructured meat (RM) matrix (Si-RM) as a functional ingredient has been demonstrated to be a potential bioactive antidiabetic compound. However, the jejunal and hepatic molecular mechanisms by which Si-RM exerts its cholesterol-lowering effects remain unclear. Male Wistar rats fed an RM included in a high-saturated-fat high-cholesterol diet (HSFHCD) combined with a low dose of streptozotocin plus nicotinamide injection were used as late-stage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model. Si-RM was included into the HSFHCD as a functional food. An early-stage TD2M group fed a high-saturated-fat diet (HSFD) was taken as reference. Si-RM inhibited the hepatic and intestinal microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) reducing the apoB-containing lipoprotein assembly and cholesterol absorption. Upregulation of liver X receptor (LXRα/ß) by Si-RM turned in a higher low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCG5/8, ABCA1) promoting jejunal cholesterol efflux and transintestinal cholesterol excretion (TICE), and facilitating partially reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Si-RM decreased the jejunal absorptive area and improved mucosal barrier integrity. Consequently, plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels decreased, as well as the formation of atherogenic lipoprotein particles. Si-RM mitigated the dyslipidemia associated with late-stage T2DM by Improving cholesterol homeostasis. Silicon could be used as an effective nutritional approach in diabetic dyslipidemia management.

The preventive and therapeutic consumption of meat enriched with carob fruit extract, rich in phenolic compounds, improves colonic antioxidant status in late-stage T2DM rats.

Oxidative stress is prevalent in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and has been associated with high meat consumption. Carob Fruit Extract (CFE) contains phenolic compounds, making it a suitable functional ingredient. Current study aims to evaluate the effect of CFE-enriched meat (CFE-meat) consumption on the antioxidant status of proximal and distal colon, and its relationship with fecal phenolic compounds in late-stage T2DM rats. Three groups of eight rats were studied: 1) D, fed control-meat; 2) ED, fed CFE-meat since the beginning of the study; 3) DE, fed CFE-meat after confirming T2DM. CFE-meat consumption reduces colonic oxidative stress mainly in the proximal section and helps to ameliorate glutathione metabolism and antioxidant score. Difference between ED and DE groups were associated with colon homeostasis and T2DM progression suggesting greater fermentation but lower absorption in the DE group. CFE appears as a promising tool to improve the antioxidant status observed in late-stage T2DM.

Analysis of immunohistomorphological changes in the colonic mucosa in a high-saturated fat and high-cholesterol fed streptozotocin/nicotinamide diabetic rat model.

The mucosal surface of gastrointestinal tract is lined with epithelial cells that establish an effective barrier between the lumen and internal environment through intercellular junctions, preventing the passage of potentially harmful substances. The "intestinal barrier function" consist of a defensive system that prevent the passage of antigens, toxins, and microbial products, while maintains the correct development of the epithelial barrier, the immune system and the acquisition of tolerance toward dietary antigens and intestinal microbiota. Intestinal morphology changes subsequent to nutritional variations, stress, aging or diseases, which can also affect the composition of the microbiota, altering the homeostasis of the intestine. A growing body of evidence suggests that alterations in intestinal barrier function favor the development of exaggerated immune responses, leading to metabolic endotoxemia, which seems to be the origin of many chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although the mechanisms are still unknown, the interaction between dietary patterns, gut microbiota, intestinal mucosa, and metabolic inflammation seems to be a key factor for the development of T2DM, among other diseases. This chapter details the different techniques that allow evaluating the morphological and molecular alterations that lead of the intestinal barrier dysfunction in a T2DM experimental model. To induce both diabetic metabolic disturbances and gut barrier disruption, Wistar rats were fed a high-saturated fat and high-cholesterol diet and received a single dose of streptozotocin/nicotinamide. This animal model may contribute to clarify the understanding of the role of intestinal barrier dysfunction on the late-stage T2DM etiology.

The antioxidant status response to low-fat and walnut paste-enriched meat differs in volunteers at high cardiovascular Risk carrying different PON-1 polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk largely depends on diet, antioxidant status, and gene polymorphisms. Low-fat meat (CM) and walnut-enriched meat (WM) products may exert potential beneficial health effects with respect to conventional meat products. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of consuming WM vs CM on reduced and oxidized glutathione, lipoperoxides, α- and γ-tocopherol levels, and paraoxonase (PON-1), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in 22 volunteers (mean age 54.8 years and body mass index 29.6 kg/m(2)) at high cardiovascular risk carrying different PON-1 192/55 polymorphisms. DESIGN: The study was a 5-week nonblinded, randomized, crossover, controlled trial. RESULTS: In general term, WM vs CM improved the volunteers' antioxidant status, with several result modifications occurring after the WM period. CM consumption increased oxidized glutathione and decreased PON-1 activity (at least p < 0.05). When WM vs CM effects were compared, SOD, CAT, and PON-1 enzyme activities increased (at least p < 0.05) in PON-1 192QQ carriers. γ-tocopherol levels and SOD and PON-1 activities increased in PON-1 192QR+RR carriers besides the significant decrease of lipoperoxide levels. In PON-1 55LM+MM carriers, the intervention increased significantly all the investigated enzyme activities and glutathione levels, whereas PON-1 55LL carriers increased their PON-1 activities. CONCLUSIONS: WM consumption should be preferred to CM. The intake of WM vs CM increased PON-1 but the effect upon other antioxidant enzymes and substrates varied depending on the individual's PON-1 polymorphism. PON-1 192QR+RR carriers appear the targets for WM consumption as they increased enzyme activities and γ-tocopherol levels and decreased lipoperoxides.

Can Meat and Meat-Products Induce Oxidative Stress?

High meat and meat-products consumption has been related to degenerative diseases. In addition to their saturated fatty acids and cholesterol contents, oxidation products generated during their production, storage, digestion, and metabolization have been largely implicated. This review begins by summarizing the concept of meat and meat-products by the main international regulatory agencies while highlighting the nutritional importance of their consumption. The review also dials in the controversy of white/red meat classification and insists in the need of more accurate classification based on adequate scores. Since one of the negative arguments that meat receives comes from the association of its consumption with the increase in oxidative stress, main oxidation compounds (malondialdehyde, thermaloxidized compounds, 4-hydroxy-nonenal, oxysterols, or protein carbonyls) generated during its production, storage, and metabolization, are included as a central aspect of the work. The review includes future remarks addressed to study the effects meat consumption in the frame of diet-gene interactions, stressing the importance of knowing the genetic variables that make individuals more susceptible to a possible oxidative stress imbalance or antioxidant protection. The importance of consumed meat/meat-products in the frame of a personalized nutrition reach in plant-food is finally highlighted considering the importance of iron and plant biophenols on the microbiota abundance and plurality, which in turn affect several aspects of our physiology and metabolism.

Can Carob-Fruit-Extract-Enriched Meat Improve the Lipoprotein Profile, VLDL-Oxidation, and LDL Receptor Levels Induced by an Atherogenic Diet in STZ-NAD-Diabetic Rats?

Carob fruit extract (CFE) has shown remarkable in vitro antioxidant properties and reduces postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in healthy animals. Development of functional meat products that contain bioactive components are presented as a great nutritional strategy. Until now, the effect of the consumption of restructured meat enriched with CFE in a murine model of diabetes has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on glycemia, lipemia, lipoprotein profile, Ldlr, arylesterase (AE), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and liver oxidation in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NAD) growing Wistar diabetic rats fed restructured meat in the frame of a high cholesterol/high saturated-fat diet. In the present study, three groups (D, ED and DE) were fed cholesterol-enriched (1.4% cholesterol and 0.2% cholic acid) and high saturated-fat diets (50% of total energy from fats and 20.4% from saturated fatty acids). Rats were subjected to a STZ-NAD administration at the 3rd week. Group D did not receive CFE, while ED and DE rat groups received CFE before and after the diabetic induction, respectively. After eight weeks, D rats showed hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia, an increased amount cholesterol-enriched VLDL (ß-VLDL), IDL and LDL particles and triglyceride-enriched HDL. ED and DE partially blocked the hypercholesterolemic induction with respect to D group (p < 0.001) and improved glycemia, cholesterol levels, lipoprotein profile, Ldlr, plasma AE activity and liver oxidation (p < 0.001). Fecal fat, moisture and excretion were higher while dietary digestibility was lower in ED and DE vs. D counterparts (p < 0.001). In conclusion, CFE-enriched meat shows, for the first time, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in STZ-NAD animals fed high cholesterol/high saturated-fat diets. Likewise, it manages to reverse possible diabetes lipoprotein alterations if CFE-enriched meat is consumed before pathology development or improves said modifications if Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is already established.

The Nutritional Components of Beer and Its Relationship with Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's Disease.

The prevalence of degenerative diseases has risen in western countries. Growing evidence suggests that demenia and other cognition affectations are associated with ambient factors including specific nutrients, food ingredients or specific dietary patterns. Mediterranean diet adherence has been associated with various health benefits and decreased risk of many diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Beer, as part of this protective diet, contains compounds such as silicon and hops that could play a major role in preventing brain disorders. In this review, different topics regarding Mediterranean diet, beer and the consumption of their main compounds and their relation to neurological health have been addressed. Taking into account published results from our group and other studies, the hypothesis linking aluminum intoxication with dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease and the potential role of regular beer has also been considered. Beer, in spite of its alcohol content, may have some health benefits; nonetheless, its consumption is not adequate for all subjects. Thus, this review analyzed some promising results of non-alcoholic beer on several mechanisms engaged in neurodegeneration such as inflammation, oxidation, and cholinesterase activity, and their contribution to the behavioral modifications induced by aluminum intoxication. The review ends by giving conclusions and suggesting future topics of research related to moderate beer consumption and/or the consumption of its major compounds as a potential instrument for protecting against neurodegenerative disease progression and the need to develop nutrigenetic and nutrigenomic studies in aged people and animal models.

Lipoprotein Profile in Aged Rats Fed Chia Oil- or Hydroxytyrosol-Enriched Pork in High Cholesterol/High Saturated Fat Diets.

Restructuring pork (RP) by adding new functional ingredients, like Chia oil (one of the richest natural source of α-linolenic acid) or hydroxytyrosol (HxT) (potent antioxidant), both with hypolipidemic activities, is one of the strategies that may help to reduce the potential negative effects of high meat products consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Chia oil- or HxT-enriched-RP effect on the lipoprotein profile of aged rats fed high-fat, high-energy, and cholesterol-enriched diets. RP samples were prepared by mixing lean pork and lard with or without Chia oil (152.2 g/kg fresh matter) or HxT (3.6 g/kg fresh matter). Diets were prepared by mixing a semisynthetic diet with freeze-dried RP. Groups of 1-year male Wistar rats were fed the following experimental diets for 8 weeks: C, control-RP diet; HC, cholesterol-enriched-RP diet; and Chia oil-RP (CHIA) and HxT, Chia oil- or hydroxytyrosol-RP, cholesterol-enriched diet. Plasma lipid, lipoprotein profile, SREBP-1c protein, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) receptor gene (Ldlr) expressions were evaluated. Compared to C diet, the HC diet increased plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, total lipids, and SREBP-1c expression, but reduced Ldlr expression and significantly modified the lipoprotein profile, giving rise to the presence of high levels of atherogenic cholesterol-enriched very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) particles. Compared to the HC diet, the HxT diet did not produce significant changes in feed intake but it reduced the body weight. Chia oil and HxT partially arrested the negative effects of the high-fat, high-energy, and cholesterol-enriched meat-based diets on lipemia and lipoproteinemia, mostly by reducing the amount of cholesterol content in VLDL (60% and 74% less in CHIA and HxT vs. HC, respectively) and the VLDL total mass (59% and 63% less in CHIA and HxT vs. HC, respectively). Free fatty acids (FFA) significantly correlated with adipose tissue weight and VLDL total mass (both p < 0.05), and plasma triglycerides, phospholipids, total lipids, and SREBP-1c (all p < 0.001), suggesting the important role of FFA in lipoprotein metabolism. Results support the recommendation to include these ingredients in pork products addressed to reduce the presence of increased atherogenic particles in aged people at CVD risk consuming large amounts of pork.

Effect of Extract and Ellagic Acid from Geranium schiedeanum on the Antioxidant Defense System in An Induced-Necrosis Model.

Geranium schiedeanum has been used in traditional therapies as an antiseptic, antipyretic, and as analgesic. The present study was designed to evaluate the pretreatment with G. schiedeanum total extract (GS) and its active metabolites on stimulating the endogenous antioxidant defense system (EADS): catalase (Cat), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione reduction index (RI GSH/GSSG) in rat liver treated with a sublethal dose (6.6 mmol/Kg) of thioacetamide (TAA) in order to probe the capacity of GS and the active compounds to reduce liver injury. This was assessed by measuring aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (BILT) in rats pretreated or not with TAA, and pretreated or not with GS and its metabolites. The results showed that GS was able to induce the production of EADS enzymes, increasing redox index GSH/GSSG at 24 and 48 h after intoxication, and both the extract and the ellagic acid exhibited a significant reduction of hepatic damage markers. Our data confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of GS and its metabolites, like ellagic acid, support the possible use of this extract in the treatment of liver injury.

Interacciones entre antineoplásicos orales y alimentos / Interactions between oral antineoplastic drugs and foods

Actualmente, la administración de antineoplásicos se realiza mayoritariamente por vía parenteral, sin embargo, la vía oral está cada vez más extendida en oncología por presentar beneficios importantes, como mayor comodidad o seguridad para el paciente. Sin embargo, la vía oral supone nuevos retos son las interacciones fármaco-alimentos (iAM), que puede dar lugar a importantes variaciones en la biodisponibilidad del fármaco. Esta mini-revisión se inicia comentando en una breve introducción algunos aspectos centrales sobre los inhibidores de tirosin-kinasa (TKI) y su mecanismo de acción y los planteamientos que han ido llevando a la aparición de TKI de segunda y tercera generación. Posteriormente y centrado en el tema interacción fármaco-alimentos se comentan algunos resultados y conclusiones de 47 artículos seleccionados de un total de 55 donde se describen distintos tipos de iAM que atañen a los TKI y otros antineoplásicos orales y que afectan a la biodisponibilidad de los mismos y los factores determinantes de dichas interacciones (p. ej. tipo de alimento, las reacciones físico-químicas entre fármaco y alimento, la fisiología postprandial). También resume algunos ejemplos bien definidos de dichas iAM, así como de las posibles consecuencias positivas de la coadministración de medicamentos y alimentos. La revisión termina con pautas futuras a considerar en este tipo de interacciones (estatus nutricional del paciente, farmacogenética relacionada con las isoformas del citocromo P450, cronoterapia y cronofarmacia relacionada con los genes CLOCK, efectos del consumo de compuestos bioactivos y perfiles dietéticos) y con unas conclusiones. Por todo ello, el conocimiento profesional de estos aspectos juega un papel fundamental a la hora de garantizar el éxito terapéutico. (AU)

Nowadays, the intravenous administration of antineoplastic drugs is more common than oral administration. However, oral chemotherapy on oncology is increasing due to some advantages, such as the comfort and safety of the patient. Nevertheless, oral administration implies new challenges as the food and drugs interactions that can change the drug’s bioavalability. Present mini-review stars with a short introduction in main aspects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), their action mechanism as well as the stages that have giving rise to the second and third generations of TKI are reviewed. Dealing with drugfood interaction the review discusses some results and conclusions derived from 47 articles selected from a total of 55 ones in which some food-drug interaction affecting bioavailability of TKI and other oral antineoplastics are described, as well as some determinant factors of such interactions (e.g. type of food, food and drug physicochemical reactions, postprandial physiology). Some well-defined and known examples of those interactions are commented as well the possible positive consequences of food and drug coadministration. The review ends with future remarks (e.g nutritional status, farmacogenetics related to the Cytochrome P450, chronotherapy and chronopharmacy related to CLOCK genes, the effects of bioactive compounds and dietary profiles) and with some conclusions. For all this, the professional knowledge and background seem fundamental in order to warrantee therapeutic success. (AU)

Chia Oil-Enriched Restructured Pork Effects on Oxidative and Inflammatory Status of Aged Rats Fed High Cholesterol/High Fat Diets.

Chia oil has the highest recognized α-linolenic acid (ALA) content. ALA is associated with beneficial changes in plasma lipids and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Present article aims to analyze the effect of Chia oil-enriched restructured pork (RP) on aged rats in a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. Groups of six male Wistar rats (1-year old) were fed the experimental diets: control RP diet (C) noncholesterol high saturated; cholesterol-enriched high-saturated fat/high-cholesterol control RP diet (HC) with added cholesterol and cholic acid; and Chia oil- or Hydroxytyrosol RP cholesterol-enriched high-saturated fat/high cholesterol (CHIA and HxT). Total cholesterol, hepatosomatic index, Nrf2, antioxidant, and inflammation markers were determined. CHIA reduced the hypercholesterolemic effect by lowering levels similar to C; also, ameliorated redox index. CHIA, despite high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content, reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and induced the lowest SOD protein synthesis but not a reduction on its activity. Chia oil activated the Nrf2 to arrest the pro-oxidative response to cholesterol and aging. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) system was lower in HxT than in CHIA, suggesting its antiatherogenic activity and related protective effect against high PUFA. Increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was partially blocked by CHIA. Chia oil has the ability to prevent oxidative damage and modify the inflammatory response, suggesting adequate regulation of the antioxidant system. Results stress the importance of incorporating ALA into the diet.

Cuando aprender se transforma en un juego y enseñar es poner las reglas del mismo para que ocurra. Una visión con una perspectiva de ilusión después de cuarenta y ocho años en la enseñanza / When learning becomes a game and teaching consists in setting the rules to allow it happen. A vision from a perspective with illusion after teaching for forty-eight years

Es este brevísimo artículo un flash, una visión personal de la enseñanza y de la importancia de la entrega y la innovación docente, utilizando lo que se tiene a mano, aunque sea en el ambiente inhóspito del confinamiento. Este apunte es antesala de otro artículo en donde se presentan la hipótesis, objetivos y medios para llevar a cabo el proyecto Docente “Los errores del profesor mejoran el aprendizaje del alumno” y en el que se expondrán de forma resumida algunos resultados preliminares obtenidos, a fin de que sirva de semilla para promover proyectos similares que mejores la calidad y resultados de la enseñanza.(AU)

This very brief article is a flash, a personal vision of teaching and the importance of delivery and teaching innovation, using what we have at hand and in the inhospitable environment of confinement. This note is a prelude to another article where the hypothesis, objectives and means are presented to carry out the Teaching project "Teacher mistakes improve student learning", in which some preliminary results obtained will be summarized, to serve as a seed to promote similar projects that improve teaching quality and results.(AU)

Virus zoonóticos emergentes en un mundo globalizado: SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 y sus implicaciones en salud pública y en la industria alimentaria / Emerging zoonotic viruses in a globalized world: SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and its implications for public health and the food industry

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Alimentos funcionales como alternativa para incrementar la ingesta de fibra dietética y proantocianidinas. Posibles efectos sobre la microbiota intestinal / Functional foods as an alternative to increase the consumption of dietary fiber and proanthocyanidins. Possible effects on the gut microbiota

INTRODUCCIÓN: La fibra dietética es un componente nutricional fundamental, destacando su acción moduladora sobre la microbiota intestinal. El consumo de alimentos de origen vegetal y por ende el de la fibra dietética, tanto en España como en otros muchos países, se ha reducido. Los alimentos funcionales parecer ser una buena alternativa alimentaria para paliar este déficit. OBJETIVOS: 1. Revisar el concepto de fibra dietética. 2. Conocer la situación real de consumo de fibra dietética en España y en otros países europeos en diferentes intervalos de edad. 3. Estudiar los efectos principales del consumo de la fibra dietética y en particular de proantocianidinas (PA) con respecto a la microbiota intestinal. 4. Revisar el concepto de alimento funcional y las posibilidades de incorporar fibra dietética y PA a diferentes alimentos de alto consumo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El principal motor de búsqueda ha sido la base de datos PubMed, aunque también se ha hecho uso de Google Scholar, ResearchGate y sciELO. Se han revisado artículos científicos, libros, e informes en fuentes fiables y contrastadas. También se han consultado documentos oficiales, como el Informe de Consumo de Alimentos en España de 2018, publicado por el Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación; la página web de la AESAN y los Reglamentos vigentes de alimentación. RESULTADOS: Se confirma que las ingestas reales de fibra dietética en distintos países de la Unión Europea incluyendo a España, son inferiores de las ingestas dietéticas de referencia (IDR) para la mayoría de los intervalos de edad. Esta inadecuación se exacerba al aumentar la edad. En el artículo se proponen estrategias para alcanzar las IDR, en particular incorporando fibra dietética en alimentos de consumo muy frecuente (p.ej. matrices cárnicas). Se revisa el concepto de alimento funcional y aquellas publicaciones que estudian los efectos de las proantocianidinas (PA) en la recuperación de la microbiota intestinal a otra similar a la que poseen individuos sanos. Se comentan los mecanismos mediante los cuales la microbiota es capaz de hidrolizar las PA y liberar metabolitos con acción protectora intestinal y sistémica. CONCLUSIONES: Dado que modificar los hábitos de consumo por parte de la población parece tarea difícil, se plantea la alternativa de formular alimentos funcionales enriquecidos en fibra dietética y PA. La evidencia positiva creciente observada en cárnicos funcionales enriquecidos con fibra de algarrobo rica en PA sugiere la importancia de continuar investigando en este campo y de iniciar la formulación de nuevos alimentos funcionales (p.ej. cereales, cremas, gominolas, etc.) enriquecidos en este tipo de fibra dietética rica en PA, que propicien un adecuado consumo y los beneficios de sus propiedades funcionales

INTRODUCTION: Dietary fiber is an essential nutritional component, which, its modulating action on gut microbiota must be outlined. The consumption of foods of vegetable origin, and therefore, the dietary's fiber consumption, in Spain, as well as in some other countries, has been reduced. Functional foods have been found to be a great food alternative to solve this dietary deficiency. OBJECTIVES: 1. To review dietary's fiber concept. 2. To get to know the real consumption situation of dietary fiber in Spain, in other European countries; in different age groups. 3. To study the main effects related to dietary fiber consumption, particularly the effects of PA with respect to the gut microbiome. 4. To revise functional foods concept, and the possibilities of incorporating dietary fiber and PA into different highly consumed foods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main research engine has been the PubMed database, although it has also been used Google Scholar, ResearchGate and SciELO. At the same time scientific articles, books and reports from reliable and corroborated sources have been revised. In addition, official documents have been consulted, as the 2018 Spanish Foods Consumption Report, published by the Spanish Ministry of Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación; the AESAN website, and the current food regulations. RESULTS: It is proved that the real dietary fiber intakes in different European countries, including in Spain, are far below the dietary reference intakes (DRI), in most of the studied age ranges. In this article, there are proposed strategies to achieve these DRI, particularly adding dietary fiber into highly consumed foods (i.e. meat matrices). The concept of functional foods is reviewed, and some of the most relevant publications reporting the effects of proanthocyanidins (PA) in relationship to the gut microbiome recovery, and its change to another related to the healthy people's microbiome. The mechanisms by which the gut microbiome is able to hydrolyse the PA, and consequently release metabolites with gut and systemic protective activity, is also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Given that modifying the population consumption habits seems a difficult task, the alternative of formulating functional foods enriched with dietary fiber and PA it is suggested. The increasing positive evidence observed derived from the consumption of functional meat products to which carob fruit fiber has been added, suggests the relevance of continuing investigating on this field, and therefore start the formulation of new functional foods (i.e. cereals, creams, sweets, etc.) enriched with this PA-enriched fiber, which would lead to an adequate dietary fiber consumption and the benefits from its functional functions

Silicon as neuroprotector or neurotoxic in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line.

Silicon (Si) is a trace element that has been considered to be an environmental contaminant for many years, although different studies have recently reported it is an essential element for living cells. The present study tested the ability of different concentrations of Si G57™ to induce neuroprotection or neurotoxicity over 24 h in the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line. Cell viability, cellular proliferation, LDH release, ROS, antioxidant capacity, TBARS, caspase-3, -8 and -9, DNA fragmentation, and TNF-α levels were evaluated. Low Si doses (50-250 ng mL(-1)) increased the cell viability and reduced caspase-3 and -8 activities and TNF-α level. The increase in cell viability was independent of any proliferative effect as there was no variation in cyclin E and PCNA levels. At higher concentrations, Si increased caspase-3, as well as TBARS, LDH, DNA fragmentation, and TNF-α releases. Altogether, these results suggest that Si could act either as a neuroprotector or a neurotoxic agent depending on the concentration tested. This study emphasizes the importance of developing new neuroprotective therapies based on low Si doses.

Cuando el silicio transmuta en oro / When silicon transmutes in gold

Este trabajo describe las virtudes de una investigación centrada en el silicio, uno de los ingredientes más importantes pero menos conocidos de la cerveza, y su acción protectora a nivel neurodegenerativo. Entre los varios factores que contribuyen a la inducción y desarrollo de la enfermedad de Alzheimer, se encuentra el aluminio el cual tiende a concentrarse en el cerebro e inducir, entre otros mecanismos, alteraciones prooxidantes e inflamatorias. El silicio al bloquear esos efectos negativos, se convierte en un ingrediente estrella, que en términos alquimistas sugiere que puede transmutar en oro

This article describes the virtues of a research focused on silicon, one of the most important but least known ingredients in beer, and its protective action at the neurodegenerative level. Among the various factors contributing to the Alzheimer's disease induction and development, aluminum, by concentrating in brain induces, among other mechanisms, pro-oxidant and inflammatory disorders. Silicon, by blocking these negative effects, becomes a star ingredient, which in alchemist terms suggests that has the property to transmute into gold

Interacciones entre antineoplásicos orales y alimentos / Interactions between oral antineoplastic drugs and foods

Actualmente, la administración de antineoplásicos se realiza mayoritariamente por vía parenteral, sin embargo, la vía oral está cada vez más extendida en oncología por presentar beneficios importantes, como mayor comodidad o seguridad para el paciente. Sin embargo, la vía oral supone nuevos retos son las interacciones fármaco-alimentos (iAM), que puede dar lugar a importantes variaciones en la biodisponibilidad del fármaco. Esta mini-revisión se inicia comentando en una breve introducción algunos aspectos centrales sobre los inhibidores de tyrosin-kinase (TKI) y su mecanismo de acción y los planteamientos que han ido llevando a la aparición de TKI de segunda y tercera generación. Posteriormente y centrado en el tema interacción fármaco-alimentos comenta algunos resultados y conclusiones de 34 artículos seleccionados de un total de 39 donde se describen distintos tipos de iAM que atañen a los TKI y otros antineoplásicos orales y que afectan a la biodisponibilidad de los mismos y los factores determinantes de dichas interacciones (p. ej. tipo de alimento, las reacciones físico-químicas entre fármaco y alimento, la fisiología postprandial). También resume algunos ejemplos bien definidos de dichas iAM, así como de las posibles consecuencias positivas de la coadministración de medicamentos y alimentos. La revisión termina con pautas futuras a considerar en este tipo de interacciones (estatus nutricional del paciente, farmacogenética relacionada con las isoformas del citocromo P450, cronoterapia y cronofarmacia relacionada con los genes CLOCK, efectos del consumo de compuestos bioactivos y perfiles dietéticos) y con unas conclusiones. Por todo ello, el conocimiento profesional de estos aspectos juega un papel fundamental a la hora de garantizar el éxito terapéutico

Nowadays, the intravenous administration of antineoplastic drugs is more common than oral administration. However, oral chemotherapy on oncology is increasing due to some advantages, such as the comfort and safety of the patient. Nevertheless, oral administration implies new challenges as the food and drugs interactions that can change the drug's bioavalability. Present mini-review stars with a short introduction in main aspects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), their action mechanism as well as the stages that have giving rise to the second and third generations of TKI are reviewed. Dealing with drugfood interaction the review discusses some results and conclusions derived from 47 articles selected from a total of 55 ones in which some food-drug interaction affecting bioavailability of TKI and other oral antineoplastics are described, as well as some determinant factors of such interactions (e.g. type of food, food and drug physicochemical reactions, postprandial physiology). Some well-defined and known examples of those interactions are commented as well the possible positive consequences of food and drug coadministration. The review ends with future remarks (e.g nutritional status, farmacogenetics related to the Cytochrome P450, chronotherapy and chronopharmacy related to CLOCK genes, the effects of bioactive compounds and dietary profiles) and with some conclusions. For all this, the professional knowledge and background seem fundamental in order to warrantee therapeutic success