Influence of Diet and Levels of Zonulin, Lipopolysaccharide and C-Reactive Protein on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Subjects.

A western diet and increased intestinal permeability may contribute to systemic inflammation and the development of cardio-metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between diet, biomarkers of intestinal permeability, and chronic low-grade inflammation on the cardiometabolic profile. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 238 young subjects aged 18-29 years, divided into two groups: with <3 cardiometabolic risk factors (CRF) and ≥3 risk factors. Anthropometric parameters, biochemical profile, and serum levels of zonulin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured, and the macronutrient intake was evaluated. Interaction models showed elevated glucose levels in the presence of high biomarker levels: zonulin ≥51.6 ng/mL plus LPS ≥ 1.35 EU/mL (ß = 1.1, p = 0.006), and LPS ≥1.35 EU/mL plus hs-CRP ≥ 4.3 mg/L (ß = 1.2, p = 0.007). In addition, triglyceride levels increased in the presence of LPS ≥ 1.35 EU/mL and hs-CRP ≥ 4.3 mg/L (ß = 3.9, p = 0.01). Despite having increased biomarker levels, a higher consumption of water (≥2100 mL), polyunsaturated fatty acids (≥6.0 g), or fiber (≥30 g) decreased triglyceride (ß = -9.6, p = 0.03), total cholesterol (ß = -5.1, p = 0.01), and LDL-C levels (ß = -7.7, p = 0.01). These findings suggest that the increased consumption of water, PUFA and fiber may improve lipid profile in subjects with intestinal permeability dysfunction or low-grade systemic inflammation.

Placental insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the ligand binding characteristics of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors in normal and preeclamptic placentas. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was done cross sectionally in trophoblast membranes obtained from 10 normotensive and 9 preeclamptic pregnant women. The affinity and number of binding sites of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors were assessed by binding assays and Scatchard plot analysis. RESULTS: Placental and newborn birth weights were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in the preeclamptic group. The K(d) values of placental insulin receptors (IR) were significantly higher in the preeclamptic group than in the normotensive group (1.08 +/- 0.24 x 10(-9) vs. 0.81 +/- 0.13 x 10(-9) M, P < 0.01), without differences in the number of receptors. In contrast, no differences were observed in the affinity and the number of insulin-like growth factor I receptors (IGF-1R) between groups. Placental weight was associated negatively with the K(d) values of IR (P < 0.05) and positively with the number of placental IGF-1R (P < 0.05); while newborn birth weight was associated positively with the number of IGF-1R (P < 0.05). In addition, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure correlated significantly with K(d) values of placental IR (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that preeclampsia is associated with low placental IR affinity. In addition, this study suggests an association between the affinity of IR and number of IGF-1R with placental and/or fetal growth. Furthermore, high blood pressure may affect the affinity of placental IR, but not the affinity or number of placental IGF-1 receptors.