Folate induces stemness and increases oxygen consumption under glucose deprivation by notch-1 pathway activation in colorectal cancer cell.

Evidence for folate's protective effects on neural tube defects led the USA and Chile to start mandatory folic acid (FA) fortification programs, decreasing up to 50%. However, ∼30% of the population consuming fortified foods reach supraphysiologic serum levels. Although controversial, several epidemiological and clinical observations suggest that folate increases cancer risk, giving concern about the risks of FA supplementation. The Cancer stem cells (CSCs) model has been used to explain survival to anticancer therapies. The Notch-1 pathway plays a role in several cancers and is associated with the stemness process. Different studies show that modulation of metabolic pathways regulates stemness capacity in cancer. Supraphysiologic concentrations of FA increase the proliferation of HT-29 cells by Notch-1 activation. However, whether folate can induce a stemness-like phenotype in cancer is not known. We hypothesized that FA protects from glucose deprivation-induced cell death through Notch-1 activation. HT-29 cells were challenged with glucose deprivation at basal (20 nM) and supraphysiological (400 nM) FA and 5-MTHF concentrations. We analyzed changes in stemness-like gene expression, cell death and different energetic metabolic functions. Supraphysiological concentrations of FA increased stemness-like genes, and improved survival and oxygen consumption, inducing AMPK phosphorylation and HSP-70 protein expression. We evaluated the Notch-1 pathway using the DAPT and siRNA as inhibitors, decreasing the stemness-like gene expression and preventing the FA protection against glucose deprivation-induced cell death. Moreover, they decreased oxygen consumption and AMPK phosphorylation. These results suggest that FA protects against glucose deprivation. These effects were associated with AMPK activation, a critical metabolic mediator in nutrient consumption and availability that activates the Notch-1 pathway.

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor regulates autophagy in the tibialis anterior skeletal muscle in mice

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates energy metabolism, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases and exerts its actions mainly through the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1). Likewise, autophagy is involved in several cellular processes. It is required for the normal development of muscle mass and metabolism, and its deregulation is associated with diseases. It is known that the CB1 regulates signaling pathways that control autophagy, however, it is currently unknown whether the ECS could regulate autophagy in the skeletal muscle of obese mice. This study aimed to investigate the role of the CB1 in regulating autophagy in skeletal muscle. We found concomitant deregulation in the ECS and autophagy markers in high-fat diet-induced obesity. In obese CB1-KO mice, the autophagy-associated protein LC3 II does not accumulate when mTOR and AMPK phosphorylation levels do not change. Acute inhibition of the CB1 with JD-5037 decreased LC3 II protein accumulation and autophagic flux. Our results suggest that the CB1 regulates autophagy in the tibialis anterior skeletal muscle in both lean and obese mice.

Community strategies for health promotion and prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases with a focus on physical activity and nutrition: the URO/FOCOS study protocol.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71% of all annual deaths, totaling 41 million people worldwide. The development and progression of these diseases are highly related to the environment and lifestyle choices, among which physical inactivity and excess malnutrition stand out. Currently, in Chile, there is no evidence at the regional and local level on the impact of physical activity and healthy nutrition plans and interventions on health promotion, prevention, and timely treatment of NCDs. The following protocol delineates the URO/FOCOS (Universidad Regional de O'Higgins/FOrtaleciendo COmunidades Saludables- Regional University of O'Higgins/Strengthening Healthy Communities) study, which will assess pilot community intervention strategies using a participatory action research approach by identifying barriers and facilitators on the practice of physical activity and healthy eating habits. In this project, the community from the O'Higgins region will be involved throughout the entire research process to develop strategies that promote regular physical activity and healthy eating practices. We propose three interrelated strategies: (1) Participatory Action Research, (2) Community interventions for promoting physical activity and healthy nutrition practices, and (3) health education. The URO/FOCOS study offers a unique opportunity in the O'Higgins region to develop participatory strategies and interventions based on the community's needs and motivations with regard to physical activity and healthy eating habits. We believe these strategies will help to improve the community's overall health through effective changes in their decision and preferences toward a more active lifestyle and healthier nutrition practices.

Effects of Olympic Combat Sports on Health-Related Quality of Life in Middle-Aged and Older People: A Systematic Review.

Olympic combat sports are unconventional physical activity strategies to train middle-aged and older people with and without health problems. This systematic review aimed to assess the available body of published peer-reviewed articles related to the effects of Olympic combat sports interventions (boxing, fencing, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling) on health-related quality of life in adults aged 45 and older. The search was carried out in five generic databases until July 2021 and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42021244161). The PRISMA guidelines were followed and the Downs and Black checklist was used to assessed the methodological quality of the studies. After reviewing 1,151 records, only seven studies met the inclusion criteria, adding 212 participants (43.4% female) with a mean age of 63.7 years. Six studies (two with middle-aged participants and four with older people) provided data to calculate the effect size (ES) in the Olympic combat sports groups (No research that used taekwondo or wrestling as an intervention modality was found). Three studies reported beneficial changes with a small ES for the total score (d < 0.40) of the health-related quality of life. Two studies reported a beneficial change with a small ES (d = 0.49) and strong ES (d = 4.45) for physical health. One study reported improvements with a small ES for emotional (d = 0.23) and functional (d = 0.26) well-being. In conclusion, interventions based on Olympic combat sports produce beneficial effects with a small and moderate ES on health-related quality of life in male and female aged 45 and older who are healthy participants, participants with Parkinson's disease, and participants with breast cancer. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO: CRD42021244161.

Is Mitochondrial Dysfunction a Common Root of Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases?

Mitochondrial damage is implicated as a major contributing factor for a number of noncommunicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes. Here, we discuss the role of mitochondria in maintaining cellular and whole-organism homeostasis, the mechanisms that promote mitochondrial dysfunction, and the role of this phenomenon in noncommunicable chronic diseases. We also review the state of the art regarding the preclinical evidence associated with the regulation of mitochondrial function and the development of current mitochondria-targeted therapeutics to treat noncommunicable chronic diseases. Finally, we give an integrated vision of how mitochondrial damage is implicated in these metabolic diseases.

Effects of Two Training Modalities on Body Fat and Insulin Resistance in Postmenopausal Women.

Henríquez, S, Monsalves-Alvarez, M, Jimenez, T, Barrera, G, Hirsch, S, de la Maza, MP, Leiva, L, Rodriguez, JM, Silva, C, and Bunout, D. Effects of two training modalities on body fat and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 2955-2964, 2017-Our objective was to compare the effects of a low-load circuit resistance training protocol and usual aerobic training in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women with at least 1 feature of the metabolic syndrome were randomly allocated to a low-load circuit resistance training protocol or traditional aerobic training in a braked cycle ergometer. The intervention consisted in supervised sessions lasting 40 minutes, 3 times per week, during 6 months. At baseline and at the end of the intervention, fasting serum lipid levels, serum interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, 8 isoprostanes, and insulin resistance (assessed through QUICKI and HOMA-IR) were measured. Body fat was measured by double-beam X-ray absorptiometry and by computed tomography densitometric quantification at lumbar 3 vertebral level. Twenty-one women aged 58 (54-59) years were allocated to aerobic training and 21 women aged 55 (52-61) years were allocated to the low-load circuit resistance training protocol. Eighteen and 16 women in each group completed the 6 months training period. Women in both groups experienced significant reductions in blood pressure, total body, subcutaneous, and intraabdominal body fat. Reductions in total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were also observed. No changes in insulin resistance indexes, 8 isoprostanes, C-reactive protein, or interleukin 6 were observed in either group. No significant differences between treatment groups were observed in any of the measured parameters. We conclude that low-load circuit resistance training and aerobic training resulted in the same reductions in body fat and serum lipid levels.

Diferencias de composición corporal y condición fisica en educadoras de párvulo con normopeso, sobrepeso y obesidad: estudio transversal / Diffences of body max index, body composition, and fitness in normo weight, overweight and obese kindergarten teachers: cross-sectional study

Objective: To describe body mass index (BMI), body composition, basal metabolic rate, physical condition and the relation-ship between them in Chilean kindergarten teachers. Subjects and Methods: 46 teachers (age 39,5 ± 8,6) from the Bio Bio province(Chile) were weighed and heighted and BMI was measured. In addition, fat mass, lean and bone percentages, basal metabolic rate, muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured. Results: The teachers had an average BMI of overweight (26,7 ± 3,5) and a high fat percentage (35,1 ± 5,9) according to national reference values. 58,7%were overweight and moderately obese. When teachers were compared according BMI, teachers with obesity had on average a higher percentage of fat mass (P =,000), less lean mass (P = ,000), took more time to complete the UKK test (P = ,035 ) and had a lower vo2max (P = ,001) than normal weight teachers. BMI had a negative association in relation to scores of the physical performance test. Conclusions: The overweight/obese teachers had more fat mass, reduced muscle mass and had worse results on fitness tests. Condition worrying thinking about the important role in modeling healthy habits to preschoolers.

Objetivo: Describir el índice de masa corporal (IMC), composición corporal, la tasa metabólica basal, condición física y su relación en educadoras de párvulos chilenas. Sujetos y Métodos: 46 educadoras (edad 39,5±8,6) de la provincia de Bio-Bio (Chile) se pesaron, midieron y se obtuvo su IMC. Se midió el porcentaje de masa grasa, magra, ósea, tasa metabólica basal, fuerza explosiva y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Resultados: Las educadoras tuvieron un IMC promedio de sobrepeso (26,7±3,5) y un elevado porcentaje de grasa (35,1±5,9) de acuerdo a referencias nacionales. El 58,7% de ellas presentó sobrepeso y obesidad moderada. Cuando se comparó por IMC, las educadoras con obesidad presentaron en promedio un mayor porcentaje de masa grasa (P =,000), menor de masa magra (P =,000), demoraron más tiempo en terminar el UKK test (P =,035) y tuvieron un menor vo2max (P =,001) en comparación a las educadoras con normopeso. El IMC se asoció negativamente a los test de rendimiento físico. Conclusión: Las maestras con sobrepeso/obesidad presentaron más masa grasa, menos masa muscular y peores resultados en las pruebas de condición física. Condición preocupante pensando en su importante rol modelando hábitos de vida saludables en los prescolares.

MOTOR SKILLS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OUTCOMES FROM A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION IN SHORT BREAKS ON PRESCHOOL CHILDREN CONDUCTED BY THEIR EDUCATORS: A PILOT STUDY.

INTRODUCTION: childhood obesity is a worldwide health concern. For this issue different intervention have being planned to increase physical activity patterns and reduce the excess of weight in children with limited or no success. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study is to evaluate the results of a pilot intervention consisting in three 15-minute breaks conducted by educators and supervised by physical education teachers on motor skills and nutritional status in preschool children. METHODS: sample was 70 preschool children (32 boys and 38 girls), age 4 ± 0,6 years. The physical activity classes were performed three times a week, 45 minutes daily, distributed in three 15 minutes breaks. The circuits were planned to have; jumps, sprints, carrying medicinal balls, gallops and crawling. Motor skill tests that were performed Standing long jump (SLJ) and Twelve meter run. RESULTS: with the intervention no significant differences in nutritional status where found on mean Z score (boys p = 0.49, girls p = 0.77). An increment on weight and height was fount after the intervention (p < 0.0001). Regarding the 12 meter run test, we found significant changes after the intervention when we normalize by weight in boys (p = 0.002) and girls (p < 0.0001). Our results have shown than boys significantly increased their SLJ and SLJ normalized by weight (p < 0.0001); a similar result was found in girls after the intervention (p < 0.0001) suggesting the increment of power independent of weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: in conclusion, this pilot study found that an intervention with more intense activities in small breaks (15 minutes), and guided by the educators could improve essential motor skills (running and jumping) in preschool children of a semi-rural sector independent of nutritional status. This gaining in motor skills is the first step to increase physical activity levels in preschool children.

Introducción: la obesidad infantil es ya un problema de salud pública. Para su disminución, han sido planteadas diferentes estrategias con el fin de aumentar la actividad física y con ello reducir la ganancia de peso en niños; estas estrategias se han llevado a cabo con un éxito limitado. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los resultados de una intervención piloto, la cual consiste en tres recreos de 15 minutos tres veces por semana conducidos por las educadoras y guiados por educadores físicos en los patrones motores y el estado nutricional de niños preescolares. Métodos: la muestra consta de 70 niños preescolares (32 niños y 38 niñas), edad 4 ± 0.6. Las clases de educación física fueron llevadas a cabo tres veces por semana en recreos de 15 minutos. Se plantearon circuitos, los cuales contenían saltos, gateo, galopes, carreras, carga y manipulación de balones medicinales. Las pruebas motoras evaluadas fueron el salto horizontal y la carrera de 12 metros. Resultados: con la intervención no se encontraron diferencias significativas en el estado nutricional (media Z score niños p = 0,49, media Z score niñas p = 0,77). Sí se encontró un aumento significativo en el peso (p < 0,0001) y la talla ( p < 0,0001) tanto en niños como en niñas al término de la intervención. En cuanto a las pruebas motoras, la carrera de 12 metros ajustada al peso tuvo cambios significativos en niños (p = 0,002) y en niñas ( p < 0,0001); mientras que el salto horizontal mejoró en ambos grupos tras la intervención (p < 0,0001). Cuando se ajustaron las pruebas motoras por estado nutricional, se encontraron cambios significativos tanto en la carrera de 12 metros en los niños con sobrepeso (p = 0,008) como en el salto horizontal/talla (p < 0,0001), lo que sugiere el incremento de la potencia independientemente del aumento de peso observado. Conclusión: este estudio piloto encontró que una intervención con actividades más intensas en pequeños recreos guiadas por educadoras pueden incrementar los patrones motores básicos en niños preescolares, independientemente del incremento de peso. Esta ganancia en los patrones motores es el primer paso para el incremento de los niveles de actividad física en niños preescolares.