Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment Improves Cerebro-splanchnic Oximetry in Late Preterm Infants.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness/side-effects of osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) performed on the 7th post-natal day, on cerebro-splanchnic oximetry, tissue activation and hemodynamic redistribution in late preterm (LP) infants by using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Methods: Observational pretest-test study consisting in a cohort of 18 LPs who received OMT on the 7th post-natal day. NIRS monitoring was performed at three different time-points: 30 min before (T0), (30 min during (T1) and 30 min after OMT (T2). We evaluated the effects of OMT on the following NIRS parameters: cerebral (c), splanchnic (s) regional oximetry (rSO2), cerebro-splanchnic fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) and hemodynamic redistribution (CSOR). Results: crSO2 and cFTOE significantly (P < 0.001) improved at T0-T2; srSO2 significantly (P < 0.001) decreased and sFTOE increased at T0-T1. Furthermore, srSO2 and sFTOE significantly improved at T1-T2. Finally, CSOR significantly (P < 0.05) increased at T0-T2. Conclusions: The present data show that OMT enhances cerebro-splanchnic oximetry, tissue activation and hemodynamic redistribution in the absence of any adverse clinical or laboratory pattern. The results indicate the usefulness of further randomized studies in wider populations comparing the effectiveness of OMT with standard rehabilitation programs.

Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake is Inversely Associated with Hypertension in a Cohort of Adults Living in the Mediterranean Area.

BACKGROUND: Dietary polyphenols, including phytoestrogens are abundantly present in a balanced diet. Evidence for their role in preventing non-communicable diseases is emerging. METHODS: We examined the association between estimated habitual intakes of dietary phytoestrogens and hypertension in a cohort study. The baseline data included 1936 men and women aged 18 years and older. Intakes of total phytoestrogens, isoflavones, and lignans were calculated from validated food frequency questionnaire. Data on the polyphenols content in foods were retrieved from the Phenol-Explorer database. RESULTS: Individuals in the highest quartile of dietary phytoestrogens intake were less likely to be hypertensive (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44-0.98); moreover, the association showed a significant decreasing trend. Isoflavones and lignans were not associated with lower odds of hypertension; however, some individual compounds, such as biochanin A and pinoresinol showed an independent inverse association with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary phytoestrogens are associated with lower likelihood of hypertension in adults living in the Mediterranean area. Future studies are needed to confirm the present findings (i.e., prospective cohort studies) and to better understand the mechanisms underlying such associations.

Coffee and tea consumption in relation with non-alcoholic fatty liver and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Diet plays a role in the onset and progression of metabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to systematically review and perform quantitative analyses of results from observational studies on coffee/tea consumption and NAFLD or MetS. METHODS: A Medline and Embase search was performed to retrieve articles published up to March 2015. We used a combination of the keywords "coffee", "caffeine", "tea", "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease", "non-alcoholic steatohepatitis", "metabolic syndrome". Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by random-effects model. RESULTS: Seven studies assessed coffee consumption in NAFLD patients. Fibrosis scores were reported in four out of seven; all four studies revealed an inverse association of coffee intake with fibrosis severity, although the lack of comparable exposure and outcomes did not allow to perform pooled analysis. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria to be included in the meta-analysis on coffee consumption and MetS. Individuals consuming higher quantities of coffee were less like to have MetS (RR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79-0.96). However, the association of coffee and individual components of MetS was not consistent across the studies. Pooled analysis of six studies exploring the association between tea consumption and MetS resulted in decreased odds of MetS for individuals consuming more tea (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.73-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Studies on coffee and NAFLD suggest that coffee consumption could have a protective role on fibrosis. Both coffee and tea consumption are associated with less likelihood of having MetS but further research with better designed studies is needed.

Protocatechuic acid activates key components of insulin signaling pathway mimicking insulin activity.

SCOPE: Insulin resistance represents an independent risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Researchers have been interested in identifying active harmless compounds, as many insulin-sensitizing drugs have shown unwanted side-effects. It has been demonstrated that anthocyanins and one of their representative metabolites, protocatechuic acid (PCA), ameliorate hyperglycemia, and insulin sensitivity. This study investigated the mechanism of action of PCA responsible for the glucose uptake upregulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In human visceral adipocytes, PCA stimulated insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) tyrosine phosphorylation (+40% with respect to untreated cells) and the downstream events, i.e. phosphoinositide 3-kinase binding to IRS-1 and Akt phosphorylation (+100%, +180%, respectively, with respect to untreated cells). The insulin-like activity of PCA seemed to be mediated by insulin receptor since by inhibiting its autophosphorylation, the PCA effects were completely abolished. Furthermore, PCA was able to activate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, a serine/threonine kinase whose activation elicits insulin-sensitizing effects. CONCLUSION: This study showed that PCA stimulates the insulin signaling pathway in human adipocytes increasing GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. Decreasing insulin resistance is a most desirable aim to be reached for an effective therapeutic/preventive action against metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Identifying specific food/food components able to improve glucose metabolism can offer an attractive, novel, and economical strategy.

Coffee components and cardiovascular risk: beneficial and detrimental effects.

Coffee consists of several biological active compounds, such as caffeine, diterpenes, chlorogenic acids, and melanoidins, which may affect human health. The intake of each compound depends on the variety of coffee species, roasting degree, type of brewing method and serving size. The bioavailability and the distribution of each compound and its metabolites also contribute to coffee mechanisms of action. The health benefits of coffee consumption regarding cardiovascular system and metabolism mostly depend on its antioxidant compounds. In contrast, diterpenes and caffeine may produce harmful effects by raising lipid fraction and affecting endothelial function, respectively. Studying the mechanism of action of coffee components may help understanding whether coffee's impact on health is beneficial or hazardous. In this article, we reviewed the available information about coffee compounds and their mechanism of action. Furthermore, benefits and risks for cardiovascular system associated with coffee consumption will be discussed.