Intake of red wine in different meals modulates oxidized LDL level, oxidative and inflammatory gene expression in healthy people: a randomized crossover trial.

Several studies have found that adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, including consumption of red wine, is associated with beneficial effects on oxidative and inflammatory conditions. We evaluate the outcome of consumption of a McDonald's Meal (McD) and a Mediterranean Meal (MM), with and without the additive effect of red wine, in order to ascertain whether the addition of the latter has a positive impact on oxidized (ox-) LDL and on expression of oxidative and inflammatory genes. A total of 24 subjects were analyzed for ox-LDL, CAT, GPX1, SOD2, SIRT2, and CCL5 gene expression levels, before and after consumption of the 4 different meal combinations with washout intervals between each meal. When red wine is associated with McD or MM, values of ox-LDL are lowered (P < 0.05) and expression of antioxidant genes is increased, while CCL5 expression is decreased (P < 0.05). SIRT2 expression after MM and fasting with red wine is significantly correlated with downregulation of CCL5 and upregulation of CAT (P < 0.001). GPX1 increased significantly in the comparison between baseline and all conditions with red wine. We highlighted for the first time the positive effect of red wine intake combined with different but widely consumed meal types on ox-LDL and gene expression. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01890070.

Effects of Italian Mediterranean organic diet vs. low-protein diet in nephropathic patients according to MTHFR genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Several reports associate an Italian-style Mediterranean diet (IMD) with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and morbidity. The present study aimed to explore the effects of an Italian Mediterranean organic diet (IMOD) versus low-protein diet (LPD) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, according to patients' carrier status for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism. METHODS: A total of 40 male patients with CKD and stable renal function (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative stages 2 and 3) were classified according to MTHFR polymorphism as carrier T(+) or non carrier T(-). At the time of enrolment (T0) patients' diet consisted of LPD; they were then administered IMD for 14 days (T1), thereupon IMOD for 14 days (T2). Patients underwent a complete medical history, body composition assessment and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Baseline homocysteine levels were on average 8.24 mol/l higher (95 % confidence interval 6.47, 10.00) among T(+) than T(-) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). We found a significant interaction between MTHFR status and the effect of both the IMD and IMOD on homocysteine levels compared to LPD (p for interaction <0.001). Both the IMD and IMOD resulted in significant variations of anthropometric and laboratory measurements. CONCLUSIONS: IMD and IMOD diets could represent a viable alternative to LPD in CKD patients on conservative therapy. The effect of these diets seems to be influenced by MTHFR genotypes.

Adiposity rather than BMI determines metabolic risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is increasing evidence suggesting that WHO body mass index (BMI) cut-off values are outdated and should not be applied to different population. To overcome misclassifications, direct measurements of percentage body fat (PBF) would be a better tool for preobesity and obesity diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the body composition in a adult population in Centre-South of Italy, by age and gender, and to verify the accordance between BMI and PBF cut-off points for health status classification. METHODS: The total subject pool cover a total of 4408 participants adults. A completed screening of anthropometry and body composition by Dual X-ray Absorptiometry, (DXA) was assessed on 3.258 subjects. RESULTS: Distributions and quantitative reliable estimates of PBF, total body fat and lean, according to gender and age are provided. The prevalence of "at risk" subjects (preobese and obese) was 69% and 85%, for men and women respectively, according to PBF cut-off points. The agreement of BMI and PBF categories resulted low for the total and male population, even scarce for female population (all P ≤ 0.001). The false negative classification of BMI was stronger for women than men and for younger than older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for adiposity in subjects with a normal BMI could better identify those at higher risk for cardiometabolic disturbances and cardiovascular mortality. The herein used cut-offs points of PBF, by age and gender, may provide a useful reference in clinical settings and public health services, in particular for the Italian Caucasian population.

Body composition changes and cardiometabolic benefits of a balanced Italian Mediterranean Diet in obese patients with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic alteration associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality than the single alterations alone. The Italian Mediterranean Diet (IMD) can exert a positive effect on cardiovascular risk and related morbidity and mortality. The aim was to evaluate the benefits of dietary intervention based on a typical IMD on body composition, cardiometabolic changes and reduction in cardiovascular disease in patients with MS. Eighty White Italian subjects with MS were prescribed a balanced hypocaloric IMD. We investigated dietary habits and impact of the diet on health status, blood biochemical markers, anthropometric measurements and body composition during a 6-month follow-up period. Body composition, fat mass and distribution were assessed by Dual X-ray absorptiometry. Adherence to the IMD led to a decrease in body weight (102.59 ± 16.82 to 92.39 ± 15.94 kg, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (38.57 ± 6.94 to 35.10 ± 6.76, <0.001) and waist circumference (112.23 ± 12.55 vs 92.42 ± 18.17 cm, p < 0.001). A significant loss of total body fat especially in waist region was observed. The MS was resolved in 52 % of the patients. Significant improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting glucose occurred. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced from 128.74 ± 33.18 to 108.76 ± 38.61 mg/dl (p < 0.001), triglycerides from 169.81 ± 80.80 to 131.02 ± 63.88 mg/dl (p < 0.001). The present results suggest that a dietary intervention based on a typical IMD effectively promotes weight loss and reduces the growing burden of cardiovascular risk factors that typifies patients with MS.

Impact of the -174 G > C IL-6 polymorphism on bioelectrical parameters in obese subjects after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: Recent data demonstrated that the -174 G > C IL-6 polymorphism may account for differences in the therapeutic response to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgery. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the impact of -174 G > C IL-6 polymorphism on weight loss, body composition, and fluid distribution changes in obese subjects after LAGB. DESIGN AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty obese subjects were selected and studied at baseline and 3 months after LAGB. Genetic assessment of -174 G > C IL-6 polymorphism and anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis were performed. RESULTS: At baseline, C(+) carriers had a lower extracellular water (ECW) and higher intra-CW, phase angle (PA), reactance X(c), and X(c)/height. LAGB surgery determined significant reductions in weight and BMI. After LAGB, in C(-) carriers, significant decreases in weight, BMI, and ECW and increases in BCM, BCMI, ICW, PA, and X(c)/H were highlighted. In C(+) carriers, significant reductions in weight, BMI, ICW, and PA and increases in ECW, Na/K, resistance (R), and R/height were obtained. Significant higher reductions in BMI and X(c)/H were observed in C(+) with respect to C(-) carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Genotyping of genetic variants, for example, the -174 G > C polymorphism of IL-6, gives the opportunity to predict therapeutic response, in terms of body composition outcomes after LAGB.

-174G/C IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism predicts therapeutic response to TNF-α blockers.

BACKGROUND: Although TNF-α blockade is a very effective therapy for psoriasis, not all patients achieve a favorable outcome. The association between IL-6 and psoriasis has been investigated but no papers have focused on the pharmacogenetics of IL-6. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the G or the C allele, at position -174 in the promoter of IL-6, influences the relationships between body weight, body composition, and therapeutic response to TNF-α blockers in psoriasis. METHODS: Sixty patients with psoriasis were studied, at baseline and 6-month follow-up after therapy. Assessment of the -174G/C IL-6 polymorphism, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Disease Activity Score-28 scores, body weight (kg), BMI, body composition by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and systemic inflammation was performed. RESULTS: Relevant body composition changes occurred after therapy. Normal weight participants showed a greater increase in fat mass than lean mass, compared with obese participants. According to their genotypes, C(+) carriers showed a greater increase in lean mass and fat mass, at the abdominal region, with respect to C(-) carriers. C(+) carriers outweighed C(-) carriers in the group of treatment responders. A higher number of responders were present among normal weight participants, with respect to obese participants. Obesity and the -174G/C IL-6 polymorphism predicted poor response to TNF-α blockers [odds ratio for C(-) carriers, obese: 2.00 (confidence interval: 1.19-3.38; P≤0.05)]. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the G allele of the -174G/C IL-6 polymorphism and obesity can be considered as risk factors for the prognosis and management of psoriasis. This is the first study to suggest the -174G/C IL-6 polymorphism as a novel genetic marker of responsiveness to TNF-α blockers in psoriasis.

S100B Protein concentration in milk-formulas for preterm and term infants. Correlation with industrial preparation procedures.

Human milk S100B protein possesses important neurotrophic properties. However, in some conditions human milk is substituted by milk formulas. The aims of the present study were: to assess S100B concentrations in milk formulas, to verify any differences in S100B levels between preterm and term infant formulas and to evaluate the impact of industrial preparation at predetermined phases on S100B content. Two different set of samples were tested: (i) commercial preterm (n = 36) and term (n = 36) infant milk formulas; ii) milk preterm (n = 10) and term infant (n = 10) formulas sampled at the following predetermined industrial preparation time points: skimmed cow milk (Time 0); after protein sources supplementation (Time 1); after pasteurization (Time 2); after spray-drying (Time 3). Our results showed that S100B concentration in preterm formulas were higher than in term ones (p < 0.01). In addition, S100B concentrations during industrial preparation showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) at Time 1 followed by a slight decrease (p > 0.05) at Time 2, whereas a significant (p < 0.001) dip was observed at Time 3. In conclusion, S100B showed a sufficient thermostability to resist pasteurization but not spry-drying. New feeding strategies in preterm and term infants are therefore warranted in order to preserve S100B protein during industrial preparation.

Effect of supplementation of calcium and vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in peri- and post-menopause women; a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a serious global health problem for the future, that is why improving diagnostic methods and prevention of this disease could be helpful. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of calcium supplementations combined with Vitamin D on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in a representative sample of peri- and post-menopausal women in a double-blind, a randomized, controlled trial was untaken. DESIGN: A total of 120 women aged over 45 were included in a randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind trial on the effect of a daily dietary supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D on bone mineral density and bone mineral content; over a 30-month period. METHODS: Dietary intake assessment; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure total body and segmental bone mineral density and bone mineral content at beginning of the study and every 15 months were undertaken. RESULTS: There was no significant change in dietary calcium or Vitamin D intakes in either of the treatment groups during the 30-month intervention period. The change in total BMD in the calcium group was significantly different from that in the placebo group (P <0.005). The placebo group lost a total BMD at a rate of about 0.4% per year. There was an inverse correlation between BMD and age. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density of calcium has been demonstrated in this group of young adult women. Our results showed the positive effect of calcium and Vitamin D supplementation in women both peri- and post-menopausal status; for this reason a supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D should be recommended as a strategic option in helping to prevent early postmenopausal bone loss.