Exposure to anandamide on young rats causes deficits in learning, temporal perception and induces changes in NMDA receptor expression.

Human use of marijuana at an early age has been reported to lead to cognitive impairment. However, researchers have not yet clearly determined whether this impairment is due to marijuana-induced alterations in the developing nervous system and whether this deficit persists into adulthood after marijuana use has ceased. We administered anandamide to developing rats to assess the effect of cannabinoids on development. We subsequently evaluated learning and performance on a temporal bisection task in adulthood and assessed the expression of genes encoding principal subunits of NMDA receptors (Grin1, Grin2A, and Grin2B) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Rats in two age groups, namely, 21-day-old and 150-day-old rats, received intraperitoneal injections of anandamide or the vehicle for 14 days. Both groups performed a temporal bisection test, which included listening to tones of different durations and classifying them as short or long. The expression of the Grin1, Grin2A and Grin2B mRNAs was evaluated using quantitative PCR in both age groups after extracting mRNA from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. We observed a learning impairment in the temporal bisection task (p < 0.05) and changes in the response latency (p < 0.05) in rats that received anandamide. Furthermore, these rats exhibited decreased expression of Grin2b (p = 0.001) compared to those that received the vehicle. In human subjects, the use of cannabinoids during development induces a long-term deficit, but this deficit is not observed in subjects who use cannabinoids in adulthood. Rats treated with anandamide earlier in development took longer to learn the task, suggesting that anandamide exerts a harmful effect on cognition in developing rats. Administration of anandamide during early stages of development induced deficits in learning and other cognitive processes that depend on an adequate estimation of time. The cognitive demands of the environment must be considered when evaluating the cognitive effects of cannabinoids on developing or mature brains. High cognitive demands might induce differential expression of NMDA receptors that improves cognitive capacity, overcoming altered glutamatergic function.

Physical and Dietary Intervention with Opuntia ficus-indica (Nopal) in Women with Obesity Improves Health Condition through Gut Microbiota Adjustment.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease resulting in excessive accumulation of fat. Worldwide, obesity is an important public health problem, affecting a large proportion of the world population. The tender cactus Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known in Mexico as "nopal", is widely distributed in this country, Latin America, South Africa, and the Mediterranean area. Nopal cladodes are commonly marketed in different forms as fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked, and used as fresh green vegetable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of nopal to improve the health condition of participants affected by obesity, in a physical and dietary intervention, through gut microbiota modification. These results were contrasted with the effect of nopal in the gut microbiota of normal weight participants. We describe the association among biochemical, anthropometric markers, and the gut microbiota diversity found in fecal samples of the obese and normal weight groups. The results presented in this work suggest that caloric restriction, addition of nopal to the diet and physical activity, promote changes in the gut microbiota in obese women, improving the host metabolism, as suggested by the correlation between some bacterial species with biochemical and anthropometrical parameters.

The consumption of antioxidants protects against cognitive and physical disabilities in aged with obesity.

INTRODUCTION: antioxidants play an important role in the antioxidant defense system. Obesity and the aging process increase oxidative stress. The disruption of the oxidant-antioxidant balance towards oxidant condition could be related to cognitive and physical disabilities. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the consumption of antioxidants, the oxidative stress status and their relationship with cognitive and functional alterations in aged with obesity. METHOD: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 94 subjects ≥ 60 years stratified by body mass index (BMI) (76.6% were women). The antioxidants intake as well as cognitive and functional status were evaluated by validated surveys. The oxidative stress markers were thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid-hydroperoxides (LOOH). RESULTS: the antioxidants consumption of the participants was below the recommended daily intakes (RDI) independently of the BMI group. Especially, a lower consumption of vitamins E and D, selenium and ß-carotenes was observed. The concentration of TBARS was higher (p < 0.05) in the obese (1.2 µM) versus the normal weight group (0.7 µM). The concentration of LOOH in the normal weight group (17 µM) did not show statistical difference versus obese group (15 µM). The presence of obesity in aged showed an association with walking difficulties. Multivariable analysis adjusted for several variables showed that the intake of selenium, copper and magnesium is associated with lower risk of cognitive and physical disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: aged with obesity showed a higher concentration of peripheral TBARS, walking difficulties and lower intake of antioxidants. The consumption of copper, selenium, and magnesium seems to protect against cognitive and physical disabilities in aged with obesity.

The consumption of antioxidants protects against cognitive and physical disabilities in aged with obesity / El consumo de los antioxidantes protege de discapacidades cognitivas y físicas en ancianos con obesidad

Introduction: antioxidants play an important role in the antioxidant defense system. Obesity and the aging process increase oxidative stress. The disruption of the oxidant-antioxidant balance towards oxidant condition could be related to cognitive and physical disabilities. Objective: to evaluate the consumption of antioxidants, the oxidative stress status and their relationship with cognitive and functional alterations in aged with obesity. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 94 subjects ≥ 60 years stratified by body mass index (BMI) (76.6% were women). The antioxidants intake as well as cognitive and functional status were evaluated by validated surveys. The oxidative stress markers were thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid-hydroperoxides (LOOH).Results: the antioxidants consumption of the participants was below the recommended daily intakes (RDI) independently of the BMI group. Especially, a lower consumption of vitamins E and D, selenium and β-carotenes was observed. The concentration of TBARS was higher (p < 0.05) in the obese (1.2 μM) versus the normal weight group (0.7 μM). The concentration of LOOH in the normal weight group (17 μM) did not show statistical difference versus obese group (15 μM). The presence of obesity in aged showed an association with walking difficulties. Multivariable analysis adjusted for several variables showed that the intake of selenium, copper and magnesium is associated with lower risk of cognitive and physical disabilities. Conclusions: aged with obesity showed a higher concentration of peripheral TBARS, walking difficulties and lower intake of antioxidants. The consumption of copper, selenium, and magnesium seems to protect against cognitive and physical disabilities in aged with obesity

Introducción: los antioxidantes son indispensables en el sistema de defensa antioxidante. La obesidad y el envejecimiento aumentan el estrés oxidativo. El desequilibrio del balance oxidante-antioxidante hacia una condición oxidante se relaciona con discapacidad cognitiva y física. Objetivos: evaluar la ingesta de antioxidantes, el estrés oxidativo y su relación con el estado cognitivo y funcional en ancianos con obesidad. Métodos: estudio transversal en 94 personas ≥ 60 años estratificadas por índice de masa corporal (IMC) (el 76,6% fueron mujeres). La ingesta de antioxidantes, el estado funcional y el estado cognitivo fueron evaluados con pruebas validadas. Los marcadores de estrés oxidativo fueron las sustancias reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e hidroperóxidos lipídicos (LOOH).Resultados: la ingesta de antioxidantes de los participantes fue menor a la ingesta diaria recomendada (IDR), independientemente del grupo de IMC. La concentración de TBARS fue mayor (p < 0,05) en el grupo con obesidad (1,2 μM) en comparación con el grupo de peso normal (0,7 μM). La concentración de LOOH no fue estadísticamente diferente entre el grupo de peso normal (17 μM) y el grupo con obesidad (15 μM). La obesidad en ancianos se asoció a dificultad al caminar. El análisis multivariado ajustado por múltiples variables mostró que la ingesta de selenio, cobre y magnesio se asocia con menor riesgo de discapacidad cognitiva y física. Conclusiones: los ancianos con obesidad mostraron mayores concentraciones periféricas de TBARS, dificultad al caminar y una ingesta de antioxidantes deficiente. El consumo de cobre, selenio y magnesio parece proteger de discapacidades cognitivas y físicas a los ancianos

GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE-1 PRO200LEU POLYMORPHISM (RS1050450) IS ASSOCIATED WITH MORBID OBESITY INDEPENDENTLY OF THE PRESENCE OF PREDIABETES OR DIABETES IN WOMEN FROM CENTRAL MEXICO.

INTRODUCTION: obesity affects more than a third of Mexican population. Oxidative stress participates actively in the etiology of this phenomenon. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1) plays a protective role against oxidative stress. The SNP Pro200Leu (rs10504050) has been reported to affect the activity of the enzyme. OBJECTIVE: to determine the frequency of rs10504050 polymorphism in women with obesity and normal weight control, asses the concentration of peripheral TBARS and evaluate the consumption of pro and antioxidants. METHODS: 104 women with obesity and 70 healthy controls (CG) were included in the study. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary features were evaluated. GPx-1 rs10504050 was determined by PCR/RFLP method. TBARS was assayed spectrophotometrically in plasma. The subjects were stratified and compared by obesity grades and by subgroups of prediabetes and diabetes condition. Statistical analysis included ANOVA of Kruskal Wallis, Xi squared and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: for rs10504050 polymorphism there were differences (Xi2 = 6; p = 0.01) between frequency (0.61) of obese carriers (Pro/Leu plus Leu/Leu) and CG carriers (0.42), and between (Xi2 = 8; p = 0.004) morbid (IMC > 40) obesity (0.74) and CG carriers. The obese group (OB) showed a prevalence of 66% of prediabetes plus diabetes. There were no differences in frequencies of rs10504050 in OB with pre or diabetes versus CG, or versus obese participants without diabetes. TBARS concentration was greater in all the degrees of OB versus CG. CONCLUSION: GPx-1 Pro200Leu polymorphism was associated with obesity especially with morbid obesity, but not with obese participants with prediabetes or diabetes. Oxidative stress is present in all grades of obesity significantly.

Introducción: la obesidad afecta a una tercera parte de la población mexicana. El estrés oxidativo (EO) participa activamente en la etiología del fenómeno. La glutatión peroxidasa-1 (GPx-1) juega un papel protector contra el EO. El SNP Pro200Leu (rs10504050) afecta a la actividad de la enzima. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia del polimorfismo rs10504050 en mujeres con obesidad (OB) y normopeso (CG), determinar la concentración de TBARS en sangre periférica y evaluar el consumo de pro y antioxidantes. Métodos: en el estudio se incluyeron 104 mujeres con obesidad y 70 controles. El polimorfismo rs10504050 se determinó por el método PCR/RFLP. La concentración de TBARS se cuantificó mediante espectrofotometría en plasma sanguíneo. Las participantes se estratificaron y compararon por grados de obesidad y subgrupos de prediabetes y diabetes. Se emplearon las pruebas estadísticas ANOVA de Kruskal Wallis, Xi cuadrada y correlación de Pearson. Resultados: el polimorfismo rs10504050 mostró diferencias estadísticas (Xi2 = 6; p = 0,01) entre la frecuencia del grupo OB (0,61) por arrastre (Pro/Leu+Leu/Leu) y el CG (0,42), así como (Xi2 = 8; p = 0,004) entre personas con obesidad mórbida (0,74) comparadas con el CG. No hubo diferencia significativa entre las frecuencias del rs10504050 en OB con pre o diabetes, comparado con el CG, ni con personas con obesidad sin diabetes. Las concentraciones de TBARS fueron mayores en todos los grados de OB comparados con el CG. Conclusión: el polimorfismo rs10504050 se asoció con obesidad, especialmente mórbida, pero no se asoció con diabetes o prediabetes. El estrés oxidativo está presente de manera significativa en todos los grados de obesidad.

Glutathione peroxidase-1 Pro200Leu polymorphism (rs1050450) is associated with morbid obesity independently of the presence of prediabetes or diabetes in women from Central Mexico / El polimorfismo de la glutatión peroxidasa-1 pro200leu (rs1050450) se asocia con obesidad mórbida independientemente de la presencia de prediabetes o diabetes en mujeres del centro de México

Introduction: obesity affects more than a third of Mexican population. Oxidative stress participates actively in the etiology of this phenomenon. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1) plays a protective role against oxidative stress. The SNP Pro200Leu (rs10504050) has been reported to affect the activity of the enzyme. Objective: to determine the frequency of rs10504050 polymorphism in women with obesity and normal weight control, asses the concentration of peripheral TBARS and evaluate the consumption of pro and antioxidants. Methods: 104 women with obesity and 70 healthy controls (CG) were included in the study. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary features were evaluated. GPx-1 rs10504050 was determined by PCR/RFLP method. TBARS was assayed spectrophotometrically in plasma. The subjects were stratified and compared by obesity grades and by subgroups of prediabetes and diabetes condition. Statistical analysis included ANOVA of Kruskal Wallis, Xi squared and Pearson correlation. Results: for rs10504050 polymorphism there were differences (Xi2 = 6; p = 0.01) between frequency (0.61) of obese carriers (Pro/Leu plus Leu/Leu) and CG carriers (0.42), and between (Xi2 = 8; p = 0.004) morbid (IMC > 40) obesity (0.74) and CG carriers. The obese group (OB) showed a prevalence of 66% of prediabetes plus diabetes. There were no differences in frequencies of rs10504050 in OB with pre or diabetes versus CG, or versus obese participants without diabetes. TBARS concentration was greater in all the degrees of OB versus CG. Conclusion: GPx-1 Pro200Leu polymorphism was associated with obesity especially with morbid obesity, but not with obese participants with prediabetes or diabetes. Oxidative stress is present in all grades of obesity significantly (AU)

Introducción: la obesidad afecta a una tercera parte de la población mexicana. El estrés oxidativo (EO) participa activamente en la etiología del fenómeno. La glutatión peroxidasa-1 (GPx-1) juega un papel protector contra el EO. El SNP Pro200Leu (rs10504050) afecta a la actividad de la enzima. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia del polimorfismo rs10504050 en mujeres con obesidad (OB) y normopeso (CG), determinar la concentración de TBARS en sangre periférica y evaluar el consumo de pro y antioxidantes. Métodos: en el estudio se incluyeron 104 mujeres con obesidad y 70 controles. El polimorfismo rs10504050 se determinó por el método PCR/RFLP. La concentración de TBARS se cuantificó mediante espectrofotometría en plasma sanguíneo. Las participantes se estratificaron y compararon por grados de obesidad y subgrupos de prediabetes y diabetes. Se emplearon las pruebas estadísticas ANOVA de Kruskal Wallis, Xi cuadrada y correlación de Pearson. Resultados: el polimorfismo rs10504050 mostró diferencias estadísticas (Xi2 = 6; p = 0,01) entre la frecuencia del grupo OB (0,61) por arrastre (Pro/Leu+Leu/Leu) y el CG (0,42), así como (Xi2 = 8; p = 0,004) entre personas con obesidad mórbida (0,74) comparadas con el CG. No hubo diferencia significativa entre las frecuencias del rs10504050 en OB con pre o diabetes, comparado con el CG, ni con personas con obesidad sin diabetes. Las concentraciones de TBARS fueron mayores en todos los grados de OB comparados con el CG. Conclusión: el polimorfismo rs10504050 se asoció con obesidad, especialmente mórbida, pero no se asoció con diabetes o prediabetes. El estrés oxidativo está presente de manera significativa en todos los grados de obesidad (AU)