Calorie restriction protects against acute systemic LPS-induced inflammation.

Caloric restriction (CR) has been proposed as a nutritional strategy to combat chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, as well as to delay aging. However, despite the benefits of CR, questions remain about its underlying mechanisms and cellular and molecular targets.Objective: As inflammatory processes are the basis or accompany chronic diseases and aging, we investigated the protective role of CR in the event of an acute inflammatory stimulus.Methods: Peripheral inflammatory and metabolic parameters were evaluated in Wistar rats following CR and/or acute lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, as well as glial changes (microglia and astrocytes), in two regions of the brain (hippocampus and hypothalamus) involved in the inflammatory response. We used a protocol of 30% CR, for 4 or 8 weeks. Serum and brain parameters were analyzed by biochemical or immunological assays.Results: Benefits of CR were observed during the inflammatory challenge, where the partial reduction of serum interleukin-6, mediated by CR, attenuated the systemic response. In the central nervous system (CNS), specifically in the hippocampus, CR attenuated the response to the LPS, as evaluated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) levels. Furthermore, in the hippocampus, CR increased the glutathione (GSH) levels, resulting in a better antioxidant response.Discussion: This study contributes to the understanding of the effects of CR, particularly in the CNS, and expands knowledge about glial cells, emphasizing their importance in neuroprotection strategies.

Neurometabolic effects of sweetened solution intake during adolescence related to depressive-like phenotype in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, during childhood and adolescence has been increasing in recent years. However, the safe use of aspartame has been questioned owing to its potentially harmful effects on the developing brain. The aim of this study was to test whether the chronic consumption of aspartame during adolescence leads to a depressive-like phenotype and to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying these behavioral changes. METHODS: Adolescent male and female rats were given unlimited access to either water, solutions of aspartame, or sucrose in their home cages from postnatal day 21 to 55. RESULTS: Forced swim test revealed that both chronic aspartame and sucrose intake induced depressive-like behaviord, which was more pronounced in males. Additionally, repeated aspartame intake was associated with increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aspartate levels, decreased hippocampal neurogenesis, and reduced activation of the hippocampal leptin signaling pathways in males. In females, we observed a main effect of aspartame: reducing PI3K/AKT one of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathways; aspartame also increased CSF aspartate levels and decreased the immunocontent of the GluN2A subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that repeated aspartame intake during adolescence is associated with a depressive-like phenotype and changes in brain plasticity. Interestingly, males appear to be more vulnerable to the adverse neurometabolic effects of aspartame than females, demonstrating a sexually dimorphic response. The present results highlighted the importance of understanding the effects caused by the constant use of this artificial sweetener in sensitive periods of development and contribute to regulation of its safe use.

Clinical and molecular evidence of the consumption of broccoli, glucoraphanin and sulforaphane in humans / Evidencias clínicas y moleculares del consumo de brócoli, glucorafanina y sulforafano en humanos

Introduction: Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin (GRA), which is found in great amounts especially in broccoli. Its consumption has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction and cancer development. Additionally, its effects have been studied in neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, most of the times using animal models and cell cultures. Objectives: Given the promising results of SFN, this review aimed to investigate evidence documented in human intervention studies with broccoli, GRA and SFN. Methods: A search was performed on PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases by two independent researchers using the descriptors 'broccoli' or 'glucoraphanin' or 'sulforaphane', which should appear on the study’s title or abstract. This review included randomized linical trials performed in humans that were published in English and Portuguese from 2003 to 2013 and that considered clinical and molecular parameters of cell damage as outcomes of interest. Results: Seventeen studies were selected, and the predominant type of intervention was broccoli sprouts. More consistent results were obtained for the clinical parameters blood glucose and lipid profile and for molecular parameters of oxidative stress, indicating that there was an improvement in these parameters after intervention. Less solid evidence was found with regard to decreased inflammation, Helicobacter pylori colonization, and protection against cancer. Conclusion: Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited; Introduction: Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin (GRA), which is found in great amounts especially in broccoli. Its consumption has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction and cancer development. Additionally, its effects have been studied in neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, most of the times using animal models and cell cultures. Objectives: Given the promising results of SFN, this reviewaimed to investigate evidence documented in human intervention studies with broccoli, GRA and SFN. Methods: A search was performed on PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases by two independent researchers using the descriptors 'broccoli' or 'glucoraphanin' or 'sulforaphane', which should appear on the study’s title or abstract. This review included randomized clinical trials performed in humans that were published in English and Portuguese from 2003 to 2013 and that considered clinical and molecular parameters of cell damage as outcomes of interest. Results: Seventeen studies were selected, and the predominanttype of intervention was broccoli sprouts. More consistent results were obtained for the clinical parameters blood glucose and lipid profile and for molecular parameters of oxidative stress, indicating that there wasan improvement in these parameters after intervention. Less solid evidence was found with regard to decreased inflammation, Helicobacter pylori colonization, and protection against cancer. Conclusion: Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited thus, further intervention studies are needed to evaluate outcomes more consistently and reach better grounded conclusions (AU)

Introducción: El sulforafano (SFN) es un isotiocianato derivado de la glucorafanina (GRA), encontrada en gran cantidad especialmente en el brócolis. Su consumo está asociado a un menor riesgo de infarto del miocardio y de cáncer. Además, sus efectos están siendo estudiados en enfermedades neurodegenerativas, diabetes y aterosclerosis, casi siempre utilizando modelos animales y cultivos celulares. Objetivos: Debido a los resultados prometedores del compuesto SFN, esta revisión buscó investigar evidencias ya documentadas en intervenciones con brócoli, GRA y SFN en humanos. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed y Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, por dos investigadores independientes, utilizando los descriptores 'broccoli' o 'glucoraphanin' o 'sulforaphane', que debían constar en el título o resumen del trabajo. Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos randomizados realizados en humanos, publicados en inglés y portugués entre 2003 y 2013, y que consideraron como desenlaces de interés parámetros clínicos y moleculares de daño celular. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 17 estudios y el tipo de intervención predominante fueron brotes de brócoli. Los resultados más consistentes fueron obtenidos con los parámetros clínicos glicemia y perfil lipídico y los parámetros moleculares de estrés oxidativo, que presentaron mejora después de la intervención. Se encontraron evidencias menos sólidas respeto a la disminución de la inflamación, de la colonización por Helicobacter pylori y protección contra cáncer. Conclusión: Aunque relevantes, las evidencias del uso Correspondence: Carolina Guerini de Souza. de brócoli, GRA y SFN en humanos son limitadas, siendo necesarios más estudios de intervención para avaluar los desenlaces de forma más consistente y producir conclusiones mejor fundamentadas (AU)

Clinical and molecular evidence of the consumption of broccoli, glucoraphanin and sulforaphane in humans.

INTRODUCTION: Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin (GRA), which is found in great amounts especially in broccoli. Its consumption has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction and cancer development. Additionally, its effects have been studied in neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, most of the times using animal models and cell cultures. OBJECTIVES: Given the promising results of SFN, this review aimed to investigate evidence documented in human intervention studies with broccoli, GRA and SFN. METHODS: A search was performed on PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases by two independent researchers using the descriptors "broccoli" or "glucoraphanin" or "sulforaphane", which should appear on the study's title or abstract. This review included randomized clinical trials performed in humans that were published in English and Portuguese from 2003 to 2013 and that considered clinical and molecular parameters of cell damage as outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were selected, and the predominant type of intervention was broccoli sprouts. More consistent results were obtained for the clinical parameters blood glucose and lipid profile and for molecular parameters of oxidative stress, indicating that there was an improvement in these parameters after intervention. Less solid evidence was found with regard to decreased inflammation, Helicobacter pylori colonization, and protection against cancer. CONCLUSION: Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited; thus, further intervention studies are needed to evaluate outcomes more consistently and reach better grounded conclusions.

Introducción: El sulforafano (SFN) es un isotiocianato derivado de la glucorafanina (GRA), encontrada en gran cantidad especialmente en el brócolis. Su consumo está asociado a un menor riesgo de infarto del miocardio y de cáncer. Además, sus efectos están siendo estudiados en enfermedades neurodegenerativas, diabetes y aterosclerosis, casi siempre utilizando modelos animales y cultivos celulares. Objetivos: Debido a los resultados prometedores del compuesto SFN, esta revisión buscó investigar evidencias ya documentadas en intervenciones con brócoli, GRA y SFN en humanos. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed y Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, por dos investigadores independientes, utilizando los descriptores "broccoli" o "glucoraphanin" o "sulforaphane", que debían constar en el título o resumen del trabajo. Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos randomizados realizados en humanos, publicados en inglés y portugués entre 2003 y 2013, y que consideraron como desenlaces de interés parámetros clínicos y moleculares de daño celular. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 17 estudios y el tipo de intervención predominante fueron brotes de brócoli. Los resultados más consistentes fueron obtenidos con los parámetros clínicos glicemia y perfil lipídico y los parámetros moleculares de estrés oxidativo, que presentaron mejora después de la intervención. Se encontraron evidencias menos sólidas respeto a la disminución de la inflamación, de la colonización por Helicobacter pylori y protección contra cáncer. Conclusión: Aunque relevantes, las evidencias del uso de brócoli, GRA y SFN en humanos son limitadas, siendo necesarios más estudios de intervención para avaluar los desenlaces de forma más consistente y producir conclusiones mejor fundamentadas.