Lipid profile: causal relationship on cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis?

Although cognitive impairment (CI) is classically associated with aging, it has been proposed that neurological pathologies may increase the risk to suffer CI. Despite the evidence of an elevated prevalence of CI in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), it is not considered among standard clinical evaluations, due the lack of specialists and time required. The aim of this study was to evaluate if lipid profile is associated with cognitive performance in persons with MS. Twenty patients with MS were evaluated. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was employed to determine cognitive performance. CI was observed in 85% of patients, with memory recall and language as the most affected domains. Despite biomarkers were mostly found within reference values, several correlations were observed. MoCA total score was correlated with cholesterol (r = - 0.468, p = 0.037) and LDL (r = - 0.453, p = 0.045). Visuospatial domain was correlated with LDL (r = - 0.493, p = 0.027). Attention domain correlated with triglycerides (r = - 0.455, p = 0.044) and cholesterol (r = - 0.549, p = 0.012). When the person reaches borderline levels of triglycerides, LDL and cholesterol a decrease in cognitive performance can be observed. The mechanism underlying this association has not been established still, it has been proposed that it could be linked with neuroinflammation, alterations in synapses and in the metabolism of amyloid-ß protein. This study settles the potential importance that lipid profile could have on cognitive performance in MS. Further studies are needed to establish optimal levels and implication of lipid profile in the diagnosis and monitoring of cognitive performance in Mexican people with MS.

Traditional Mexican Food: Phenolic Content and Public Health Relationship.

Phenolic compounds have a positive effect on obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. The prevalence of these diseases has increased in the last years in the Mexican population. Therefore, the Mexican diet must be assessed as provider of phenolic compounds. To assess this, a survey of phenolic compound intake was validated and applicated to 973 adults (798 females) between 18 and 79 years old. We compared the phenolic compound intake of 324 participants with more diseases (239 females) and 649 participants with healthier condition (559 females). The groups differed in sex, age, and scholarship. Males, older participants, and those with lower schooling reported suffering from more diseases. Regarding phenolic compound intake analyses, the participants with healthier conditions displayed a higher phenolic compound intake than the other group in all foods assessed. In addition, the regression model showed that the phenolic compounds intake of Mexican dishes, such as arroz con frijol or enchiladas, positively affected health status, suggesting that this traditional food is beneficial for the participant's health condition. However, the weight effect of PCI was different for each disease. We conclude that, although PCI of Mexican food positively affects health conditions, this effect depends on sex, age, and participants' diseases.

Emerging Applications of Bacteriocins as Antimicrobials, Anticancer Drugs, and Modulators of The Gastrointestinal Microbiota.

The use of bacteriocins holds great promise in different areas such as health, food, nutrition, veterinary, nanotechnology, among others. Many research groups worldwide continue to advance the knowledge to unravel a novel range of therapeutic agents and food preservatives. This review addresses the advances of bacteriocins and their producer organisms as biocontrol agents for applications in the medical industry and agriculture. Furthermore, the bacteriocin mechanism of action and structural characteristics will be reviewed. Finally, the potential role of bacteriocins to modulate the signaling in host-associated microbial communities will be discussed.

Effects of intragastrically-administered Tepary bean lectins on digestive and immune organs: Preclinical evaluation.

Previous work showed that Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) lectins exhibit differential cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines by apoptosis induction. In vivo studies using a Tepary bean lectin fraction (TBLF, 50 mg/kg of body weight) after colon cancer induction in rats showed that TBLF inhibited early precancerous lesions without systemic toxicity however, loss of body weight gain and activation of immune cells were observed. In order to know more about the possible adverse effects, we evaluated the administration of TBLF on digestive and immune organs. Sprague Dawley rats were administered TBLF for six weeks and allowed to recover for two weeks. Immune activation was observed through an increased lymphocyte-granulocyte ratio, an increased number of lymphoid follicles in intestinal Peyer's patches and a slight expansion of the splenic white pulp. Atrophy was observed in small intestine villi and crypt foci of the colon without normalization after the recovery period. Pancreas histopathology showed hypertrophy after the six-week administration period, particularly vacuolation and trabecular widening; but after the two-week recovery period atrophy was observed, suggesting a partial compensatory type process. Our results show that TBLF activates the immune system and affects digestive organs through direct interaction with intestinal epithelium, and indirectly by producing pancreatic hyperfunction. Further work will focus in longer recuperation periods after TBLF treatment.