FODMAP Content Like-by-like Comparison in Spanish Gluten-free and Gluten-containing Cereal-based Products.

Gluten-free foods (GF) availability on supermarket shelves is growing and it is expected to continue expanding in the years ahead. These foods have been linked to a lower content of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs), molecules that trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in sensitive persons. In this study, the FODMAP content of 25 cereal-based GF foods in Spain (breakfast cereals, pasta, bread, biscuits, bakery products, and dough and puff pastry) and 25 gluten-containing equivalents (GC) available in the same supermarket were analysed and compared. Lactose, fructose, glucose, sorbitol, mannitol, raffinose, stachyose and fructans were quantified. In a like-by-like analysis, GF foods were found to generally contain fewer FODMAPs than their GC counterparts. The ingredients used in the manufacture of GF cereal-based foods may contribute to this fact. When the individually wrapped size was considered, the proportion of samples classified as high-FODMAPs in GC and GF foods showed a trend towards fewer samples in the GF. However, not all the GF samples were low-FODMAP. Altogether, our findings provide essential information for FODMAP content databases of GF products in Spain.

Novel Golden Lipid Nanoparticles with Small Interference Ribonucleic Acid for Substrate Reduction Therapy in Fabry Disease.

Substrate reduction therapy (SRT) has been proposed as a new gene therapy for Fabry disease (FD) to prevent the formation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). Nanomedicines containing different siRNA targeted to Gb3 synthase (Gb3S) were designed. Formulation factors, such as the composition, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) preparation method and the incorporation of different ligands, such as gold nanoparticles (GNs), protamine (P) and polysaccharides, were evaluated. The new siRNA-golden LNPs were efficiently internalized in an FD cell model (IMFE-1), with GNs detected in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Silencing efficacy (measured by RT-qPCR) depended on the final composition and method of preparation, with silencing rates up to 90% (expressed as the reduction in Gb3S-mRNA). GNs conferred a higher system efficacy and stability without compromising cell viability and hemocompatibility. Immunocytochemistry assays confirmed Gb3S silencing for at least 15 days with the most effective formulations. Overall, these results highlight the potential of the new siRNA-golden LNP system as a promising nanomedicine to address FD by specific SRT.

Gluten-Free Products: Do We Need to Update Our Knowledge?

The gluten-free (GF) food market has been growing exponentially in recent years. However, GF products could contribute to imbalanced diets. The main objective of the present work was to perform a temporal nutritional comparison of GF foods over the last nine years. At the same time, the nutritional compositions of 104 GF products currently marketed in Spain were assessed and compared with their gluten-containing counterparts. Diets including GF products and the equivalent diets with homologous products with gluten were compared as well, the subjects being 25 adult celiac patients. A comparison of GF products (GFPs) in 2013 and 2022 showed nutritional differences in the groups of cookies, breakfast cereals, doughs/puff pastries/pizzas, and breads. The pasta group stands out from the rest due to an important decrease in energy, protein, simple carbohydrates, saturated lipids, dietary fiber, and salt. Comparing GF and gluten-containing homologous products in 2022, the major differences were found in protein and salt. Accordingly, GFPs lead to a diet lower in protein and higher in carbohydrates. Despite improvements in the formulation of GF products in recent years, their macronutrient profile maintains marked variation, and they cannot be considered nutritionally equivalent to their gluten-containing counterparts.

An extremely low stomatal density mutant overcomes cooling limitations at supra-optimal temperature by adjusting stomatal size and leaf thickness.

The impact of global warming on transpiration and photosynthesis would compromise plant fitness, impacting on crop yields and ecosystem functioning. In this frame, we explored the performance of a set of Arabidopsis mutants carrying partial or total loss-of-function alleles of stomatal development genes and displaying distinct stomatal abundances. Using microscopy and non-invasive imaging techniques on this genotype collection, we examined anatomical leaf and stomatal traits, plant growth and development, and physiological performance at optimal (22°C) and supra-optimal (30°C) temperatures. All genotypes showed thermomorphogenetic responses but no signs of heat stress. Data analysis singled out an extremely low stomatal abundance mutant, spch-5. At 22°C, spch-5 had lower transpiration and warmer leaves than the wild type. However, at 30°C, this mutant developed larger stomata and thinner leaves, paralleled by a notable cooling capacity, similar to that of the wild type. Despite their low stomatal density (SD), spch-5 plants grown at 30°C showed no photosynthesis or growth penalties. The behavior of spch-5 at supra-optimal temperature exemplifies how the effect of very low stomatal numbers can be counteracted by a combination of larger stomata and thinner leaves. Furthermore, it provides a novel strategy for coping with high growth temperatures.

Application of a Platform for Gluten-Free Diet Evaluation and Dietary Advice: From Theory to Practice.

The present work aimed to analyze, through the GlutenFreeDiet digital platform, the evolution over one year of the nutritional status, dietary profile and symptoms present among celiac people on a gluten-free diet (GFD) while receiving individualized dietary advice. Twenty-seven adults and thirty-one celiac children/adolescents participated in the study. This was then followed up by three visits, at diagnosis, and after 3 and 12 months (vt0, vt3 and vt12). Participants filled out dietary and gastrointestinal symptoms questionnaires. All patients received written personalized dietary advice from dietitians who interpreted data from the platform. Results obtained indicated that participants consumed proteins and lipids in excess and carbohydrates in defect. Low intakes of cereals, fruit and vegetables and high meat intakes were observed. However, gluten-free product (GFP) consumption and that of ultra-processed foods was reduced after 1 year in adults. Symptoms decreased after vt3 but recurred in vt12. Changes in ultra-processed foods and GFP intake, but lack of changes in the rest of the parameters suggested that the platform support was not effective enough. Even though the platform represents a useful tool for monitoring celiac patients and giving dietary advice, modules that require more continuous attention and nutritional education of patients should be provided for interventions to be more effective.

Gluten and FODMAPs Relationship with Mental Disorders: Systematic Review.

Nowadays, gluten and FODMAP food components (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) are increasingly studied due to their possible relation with extraintestinal-associated conditions. In recent years, gluten-free diets (GFD) and low-FODMAP diets (LFD) are becoming more popular not only in order to avoid the food components that cause intolerances or allergies in some people, but also due to the direct influence of marketing movements or diet trends on feeding habits. Likewise, neurological and psychiatric diseases are currently of increasing importance in developed countries. For this reason, a bibliographic systematic review has been carried out to analyse whether there is a pathophysiological relationship between the dietary intake of gluten or FODMAPs with mental disorders. This review collects 13 clinical and randomized controlled trials, based on the PRISMA statement, which have been published in the last ten years. Based on these results, limiting or ruling out gluten or FODMAPs in the diet might be beneficial for symptoms such as depression, anxiety (7 out of 7 articles found any positive effect), or cognition deficiency (improvements in several cognition test measurements in one trial), and to a lesser extent for schizophrenia and the autism spectrum. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to obtain completely reliable conclusions.

Gluten Assessment in Beers: Comparison by Different Commercial ELISA Kits and Evaluation of NIR Analysis as a Complementary Technique.

Traditionally, beers are made with gluten-containing cereals. It is crucial to have rapid analytical methodologies that allow gluten content control of the beers for celiac consumers. We assess the content of gluten in 65 conventional and 41 gluten-free labeled beers commercialized in Europe and compare the results in a subgroup of 71 beers with three ELISA kits. This research allows gathering information on the potential complementary utility of NIR analysis applied to gluten analysis of gluten-free beers in terms of time saving. Results obtained with the ELISA technique identified competitive R5 to be the most sensitive in detecting the prolamins, by eliciting a higher number of beers containing gluten above 20 mg/kg. The gluten content in conventional beers tested increased with the presence of wheat as raw material and with the use of ale-type yeasts. By using competitive R5, 3 out of the 41 gluten-free labeled beers appeared to contain gluten above 20 mg/kg, and conversely, 15 out of 65 of the conventional beers showed a gluten content below this threshold. According to our approaches, NIR did not achieve a suitable correlation with ELISA results, neither for gluten quantification nor for discrimination, and therefore, it cannot be proposed as a complementary technique.

Effects of Physiological Doses of Resveratrol and Quercetin on Glucose Metabolism in Primary Myotubes.

Phenolic compounds have emerged in recent years as an option to face insulin resistance and diabetes. The central aim of this study was: (1) to demonstrate that physiological doses of resveratrol (RSV) or quercetin (Q) can influence glucose metabolism in human myotubes, (2) to establish whether AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B -PKB- (Akt) pathways are involved in this effect. In addition, the effects of these polyphenols on mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation were analysed. Myotubes from healthy donors were cultured for 24 h with either 0.1 µM of RSV or with 10 µM of Q. Glucose metabolism, such as glycogen synthesis, glucose oxidation, and lactate production, were measured with D[U-14C]glucose. ß-oxidation using [1-14C]palmitate as well as the expression of key metabolic genes and proteins by Real Time PCR and Western blot were also assessed. Although RSV and Q increased pgc1α expression, they did not significantly change either glucose oxidation or ß-oxidation. Q increased AMPK, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and AS160 phosphorylation in basal conditions and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3ß) in insulin-stimulated conditions. RSV tended to increase the phosphorylation rates of AMPK and GSK3ß. Both of the polyphenols increased insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis and reduced lactate production in human myotubes. Thus, physiological doses of RSV or Q may exhibit anti-diabetic actions in human myotubes.

FODMAP Intake in Spanish Population: Open Approach for Risk Assessment.

Fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols' (FODMAP) were related with intestinal complications. The present study aimed to determine the FODMAP consumption of Spanish children, adolescents and adults, analyzing the real FODMAP risk of foods, and to set an open methodology for the measurement of this intake in other regions as well as nutrient intake assurance. Total fructan analysis was performed analytically in eighty-seven food samples. Daily intake of FODMAPs, fiber and micronutrients was calculated by combining the food composition for selected fermentable carbohydrates with the national food consumption stratified by age in an open software. Spanish child and adolescent total FODMAP consumption was settled as 33.4 ± 92.4 and 27.3 ± 69.0 g/day, respectively. Both intakes were higher than that of the adult population (21.4 ± 56.7 g/day). The most important food sources of lactose, excess of fructose and total fructan, considering their content and dietary intake were different between age groups. The contribution of these foods to dietary calcium and fiber and the consequent risk of deficiency if they are withdrawn was highlighted. We demonstrated the relevance of stratifying the total FODMAP intake by age. An open approach for FODMAP intake quantification and nutrient control was provided.

Effects of a snack enriched with carob and Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) on metabolic parameters in a double blind, randomized clinical trial in obese patients / Efectos de un aperitivo enriquecido con algarroba y Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) sobre los parámetros bioquímicos en un ensayo clínico doble ciego y aleatorizado de pacientes obesos

INTRODUCTION: the composition of snack foods likely influences the overall effect that snacking has on metabolism and obesity. The objective of the current study was to assess the responses to two different snacks, one of them supplemented with wakame and carobs, on cardiovascular risk factors, satiety, and subsequent food intake in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: forty patients were randomized in a clinical trial (NCT03420989, clinicaltrial.gov) to group I (enriched snack, n = 16) or group II (control snack, n = 16). At baseline and after 8 weeks biochemical parameters, dietary intakes, and nutritional status were assessed. The subjects also rated their feelings of satiety/hunger with a test meal. RESULTS: no differences were detected in anthropometric parameters between both snacks. Changes in other parameters were detected in patients with enriched snacks, with a significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol by 7.4 % (intervention snack, -8.9 ± 2.3 mg/dL vs control snack, -0.9 ± 3.3 mg/dL; p = 0.03), in total cholesterol by 5.8 % (intervention snack, -10.4 ± 2.9 mg/dL vs control snack, -1.4 ± 3.2 mg/dL; p = 0.02), and in resistin level by 15.9 % (intervention snack, -1.0 ± 0.2 mg/dL vs control snack, -0.1 ± 0.3 mg/dL: p = 0.03). After the test meal, satiety scores (after 20 min and 40 min) were higher than fasting levels in both groups. The same results were obtained with the 100-mm, 5-point visual satiety scale. CONCLUSION: our study indicates that a wakame- and carob-enriched snack induces a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and resistin levels when compared to a control snack, without effects on food consumption, other cardiovascular parameters, or anthropometric parameters

INTRODUCCIÓN: la composición de los "snacks" probablemente influya en el efecto que produce su consumo sobre los marcadores metabólicos y la obesidad. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar las respuestas a dos snacks, uno de ellos suplementado con wakame y algarroba, sobre factores de riesgo cardiovascular, saciedad y posterior ingesta de alimentos, en sujetos obesos con síndrome metabólico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se aleatorizaron 40 pacientes en el ensayo clínico NCT03420989 (clinicaltrial.gov) para participar en el grupo I (snack enriquecido, n = 16) o el grupo II (snack de control, n = 16). Antes y después de 8 semanas se determinaron los parámetros bioquímicos, las ingestas dietéticas y el estado nutricional. A los sujetos también se les evaluó la saciedad y el apetito con una comida de prueba. RESULTADOS: no se detectaron diferencias en los parámetros antropométricos con ambos snacks. Se detectaron cambios en los parámetros bioquímicos de los pacientes que recibieron snacks enriquecidos, con una disminución significativa del colesterol-LDL del 7,4 % (snack de intervención, -8,9 ± 2,3 mg/dl vs. snack de control, -0,9 ± 3,3 mg/dl; p = 0,03), del colesterol total del 5,8 % (snack de intervención, -10,4 ± 2,9 mg/dl vs. snack de control, -1,4 ± 3,2 mg/dl; p = 0,02) y de los niveles de resistina del 15,9 % (snack de intervención, -1,0 ± 0,2 mg/dl vs. snack de control, -0,1 ± 0,3 mg/dl; p = 0,03). Después de la comida de prueba, las puntuaciones de saciedad (a los 20 min y 40 min) fueron más altas que el nivel de ayuno en ambos grupos. Los resultados fueron similares con la escala de saciedad visual de 5 puntos y 100 mm. CONCLUSIÓN: nuestro estudio muestra que un snack enriquecido con wakame y algarroba produce una disminución significativa de los niveles de colesterol total, colesterol-LDL y resistina frente a un snack de control, sin efectos sobre el consumo de alimentos, otros parámetros cardiovasculares y los parámetros antropométricos

Effects of a snack enriched with carob and Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) on metabolic parameters in a double blind, randomized clinical trial in obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: the composition of snack foods likely influences the overall effect that snacking has on metabolism and obesity. The objective of the current study was to assess the responses to two different snacks, one of them supplemented with wakame and carobs, on cardiovascular risk factors, satiety, and subsequent food intake in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome. Material and Methods: forty patients were randomized in a clinical trial (NCT03420989, clinicaltrial.gov) to group I (enriched snack, n = 16) or group II (control snack, n = 16). At baseline and after 8 weeks biochemical parameters, dietary intakes, and nutritional status were assessed. The subjects also rated their feelings of satiety/hunger with a test meal. Results: no differences were detected in anthropometric parameters between both snacks. Changes in other parameters were detected in patients with enriched snacks, with a significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol by 7.4 % (intervention snack, -8.9 ± 2.3 mg/dL vs control snack, -0.9 ± 3.3 mg/dL; p = 0.03), in total cholesterol by 5.8 % (intervention snack, -10.4 ± 2.9 mg/dL vs control snack, -1.4 ± 3.2 mg/dL; p = 0.02), and in resistin level by 15.9 % (intervention snack, -1.0 ± 0.2 mg/dL vs control snack, -0.1 ± 0.3 mg/dL: p = 0.03). After the test meal, satiety scores (after 20 min and 40 min) were higher than fasting levels in both groups. The same results were obtained with the 100-mm, 5-point visual satiety scale. Conclusion: our study indicates that a wakame- and carob-enriched snack induces a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and resistin levels when compared to a control snack, without effects on food consumption, other cardiovascular parameters, or anthropometric parameters.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la composición de los "snacks" probablemente influya en el efecto que produce su consumo sobre los marcadores metabólicos y la obesidad. El objetivo fue evaluar respuestas a dos snacks, uno de ellos suplementado con wakame y algarroba, sobre factores de riesgo cardiovascular, saciedad y posterior ingesta de alimentos, en sujetos obesos con síndrome metabólico. Material y métodos: se aleatorizaron 40 pacientes en el ensayo clínico NCT03420989 (clinicaltrial.gov) para participar en el grupo I (snack enriquecido, n = 16) o el grupo II (snack de control, n = 16). Antes y después de 8 semanas se determinaron parámetros bioquímicos, ingestas dietéticas y estado nutricional. A los sujetos también se les evaluó saciedad y apetito con comida de prueba. Resultados: no se detectaron diferencias en parámetros antropométricos con ambos snacks. Se detectaron cambios en parámetros bioquímicos de pacientes que recibieron snacks enriquecidos, con disminución significativa del colesterol-LDL del 7,4 % (snack de intervención, -8,9 ± 2,3 mg/dl vs. snack de control, -0,9 ± 3,3 mg/dl; p = 0,03), del colesterol total del 5,8 % (snack de intervención, -10,4 ± 2,9 mg/dl vs. snack de control, -1,4 ± 3,2 mg/dl; p = 0,02) y de niveles de resistina del 15,9 % (snack de intervención, -1,0 ± 0,2 mg/dl vs. snack de control, -0,1 ± 0,3 mg/dl; p = 0,03). Después de la comida de prueba, las puntuaciones de saciedad (a los 20 min y 40 min) fueron más altas que nivel de ayuno en ambos grupos. Los resultados fueron similares con escala de saciedad visual de 5 puntos y 100 mm. Conclusión: nuestro estudio muestra que un snack enriquecido con wakame y algarroba produce disminución significativa de los niveles de colesterol total, colesterol-LDL y resistina frente a un snack de control, sin efectos sobre el consumo de alimentos, otros parámetros cardiovasculares y los parámetros antropométricos.

Effect of analytically measured fiber and resistant starch from gluten-free products on the diets of individuals with celiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work was to assess the content of fiber and resistant starch (RS) in several gluten-free products (GFPs), compare them with their gluten-containing analogs (GCP) analytically and with label data, and measure the contribution of these foodstuffs to the fiber content of a gluten-free diet. METHODS: Total dietary fiber and RS content in a large amount of GFP (n = 55) and their counterparts (n = 55) were measured by analytical techniques based on AOAC methods. Dietary assessment was carried out with a sample of 141 individuals (pediatric and adult patients with celiac disease) submitted to a food frequency questionnaire and a 24-h recall survey (three times on different days). RESULTS: In general terms, GFP and GCP showed similar fiber and RS content, with the exception of breads, which revealed a higher percentage of both in GFPs. This food group was the main contributor to fiber intake in both groups of patients. Even if GFPs were to be blamed for being nutritionally poorer than GCPs, this was not the case for fiber. CONCLUSIONS: The fiber and RS content were not different in the studied samples, except for the bread. It is noteworthy that label information can underestimate fiber consumption among those with celiac disease, and this must be considered for future database revision. Additionally, we demonstrated a significant effect on the fiber intake of children and adults due to GFPs, and especially to bread, a widely consumed basic product.

The Tomato Genome Encodes SPCH, MUTE, and FAMA Candidates That Can Replace the Endogenous Functions of Their Arabidopsis Orthologs.

Stomatal abundance determines the maximum potential for gas exchange between the plant and the atmosphere. In Arabidopsis, it is set during organ development through complex genetic networks linking epidermal differentiation programs with environmental response circuits. Three related bHLH transcription factors, SPCH, MUTE, and FAMA, act as positive drivers of stomata differentiation. Mutant alleles of some of these genes sustain different stomatal numbers in the mature organs and have potential to modify plant performance under different environmental conditions. However, knowledge about stomatal genes in dicotyledoneous crops is scarce. In this work, we identified the Solanum lycopersicum putative orthologs of these three master regulators and assessed their functional orthology by their ability to complement Arabidopsis loss-of-function mutants, the epidermal phenotypes elicited by their conditional overexpression, and the expression patterns of their promoter regions in Arabidopsis. Our results indicate that the tomato proteins are functionally equivalent to their Arabidopsis counterparts and that the tomato putative promoter regions display temporal and spatial expression domains similar to those reported for the Arabidopsis genes. In vivo tracking of tomato stomatal lineages in developing cotyledons revealed cell division and differentiation histories similar to those of Arabidopsis. Interestingly, the S. lycopersicum genome harbors a FAMA-like gene, expressed in leaves but functionally distinct from the true FAMA orthologue. Thus, the basic program for stomatal development in S. lycopersicum uses key conserved genetic determinants. This opens the possibility of modifying stomatal abundance in tomato through previously tested Arabidopsis alleles conferring altered stomata abundance phenotypes that correlate with physiological traits related to water status, leaf cooling, or photosynthesis.

New Software for Gluten-Free Diet Evaluation and Nutritional Education.

Following a gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only treatment for celiac disease. This diet must ensure the absence of gluten but also needs to be nutritionally balanced. Dietitians working in this field cannot properly evaluate energy and nutrient intake of celiac people because dietary programs available on the market do not contain the nutritional composition of gluten-free products (GFP). Here we present a new GFD evaluation software that contains more than 700 gluten-free rendered foodstuffs and their macronutrient composition. Apart from diet evaluation and design, the software represents a tool for nutritional education as well, since it shows diet appropriacy and indicates how to promote balanced self-care. Moreover, anthropometric and biochemical data or symptoms presence and diet adherence can be recorded and evaluated. This open free software, can be downloaded in its app format for mobiles and tablets. Software evaluation indicated its correct functionality and the importance of assessing a GFD with GFP instead of with their gluten-containing analogues. Thus, this software represents an essential e-Health tool, not only for proper GFD evaluation, but also for improving life quality of celiac and gluten sensitive people.

Micronutrient Analysis of Gluten-Free Products: Their Low Content Is Not Involved in Gluten-Free Diet Imbalance in a Cohort of Celiac Children and Adolescent.

Data about the nutritional composition of gluten-free products (GFP) are still limited. Most studies are based on ingredient and nutrition information described on the food label. However, analytical determination is considered the gold standard for compositional analysis of food. Micronutrient analytical content differences were observed in a selection of GF breads, flakes and pasta, when compared with their respective gluten-containing counterparts. In general terms, lower iron, piridoxin, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, folate, manganese and vitamin B5 can be underlined. Variations in biotin and vitamin E content differed among groups. In order to clarify the potential contribution of the GFP to the gluten-free diet's (GFD) micronutrient shortages, analytical data were used to evaluate GFD in a cohort of celiac children and adolescent. Participants did not reach recommendations for vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin D, biotin, iodine, and copper. It does not seem that the lower micronutrient content of the analyzed GFP groups contributed to the micronutrient deficits detected in GFD in this cohort, whose diet was not balanced. Nevertheless, GFP fortification for folate and biotin is proposed to prevent the deficiencies observed in GFD, at least in the case of pediatric celiac disease.

Effect of Wakame and Carob Pod Snacks on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Snacks combining different functional ingredients could represent a useful therapeutic strategy against NAFLD. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of two snack formulations based on carob and wakame flour in the treatment for NAFLD in rats. For this purpose, metabolic syndrome was induced in 50 adult rats by a high-fat high-fructose diet over eight weeks. After this period, rats were fed either normal calorie diets supplemented or not with snack A (1/50 wakame/carob pod) and snack B (1/5 wakame/carob pod) for four additional weeks. After sacrifice, liver composition and serum parameters were analyzed. Different pathways of triacylglycerol metabolism in liver were studied including fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid synthesis, triglyceride assembly and release, fatty acid uptake and glucose uptake. Oxidative stress was also measured. Snack treatment, and mainly B snack, reduced liver triacylglycerol levels by increasing fat oxidation. Moreover, this snack reduced oxidative stress. Therefore, this snack formulation could represent an interesting tool useful for fatty liver treatment.

Effects of Quercetin Metabolites on Triglyceride Metabolism of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and Mature Adipocytes.

Quercetin (Q) has rapid metabolism, which may make it worthwhile to focus on the potential activity of its metabolites. Our aim was to evaluate the triglyceride-lowering effects of Q metabolites in mature and pre-adipocytes, and to compare them to those induced by Q. 3T3-L1 mature and pre-adipocytes were treated with 0.1, 1 and 10 µM of Q, tamarixetin (TAM), isorhamnetin (ISO), quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (3G), quercetin-3-O-sulfate (3S), as well as with 3S and quercetin-4-O-sulfate (4S) mixture (3S+4S). Triglyceride (TG) content in both cell types, as well as free fatty acid (FFA) and glycerol in the incubation medium of mature adipocytes were measured spectrophotometrically. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR. In mature adipocytes, Q decreased TG at 1 and 10 µM, 3S metabolite at 1 and 10 µM, and 3S+4S mixture at 10 µM. 3S treatment modified the glucose uptake, and TG assembling, but not lipolysis or apoptosis. During differentiation, only 10 µM of ISO reduced TG content, as did Q at physiological doses. In conclusion, 3S metabolite but not ISO, 3G, 4S and TAM metabolites can contribute to the in vivo delipidating effect of Q.

Potential Usefulness of a Wakame/Carob Functional Snack for the Treatment of Several Aspects of Metabolic Syndrome: From In Vitro to In Vivo Studies.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of functional snacks containing a combination of wakame (W) and carob pod (CP) flours in reducing markers associated with MetS. The mechanisms of action underlying these effects were also evaluated. In vitro approaches were carried out in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with different doses of extracts from W, CP, or a combination of both. Furthermore, an in vivo experiment was conducted in rats with MetS treated with normal-caloric diets containing different snack formulations with combinations of 1/50 (snack A) or 1/5 of wakame/carob (snack B). In vitro experiments results indicated that both W and CP had delipidating effects, but only the latter induced anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive effects. As far as the in vivo study is concerned, snack B was ineffective and snack A showed an anti-hypertensive effect in rats with MetS. The present study shows for the first time the in vitro efficacy of a W and CP combination as an anti-inflammatory, delipidating, and anti-hypertensive tool, and its potential usefulness in treating MetS.

Lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and liver from diet-induced obese rats: a comparison between Wistar and Sprague-Dawley strains.

Some researchers have proposed important variations in adipose tissue among different strains of rats and mice in response to a high-caloric (hc) diet, but data concerning the mechanisms underlying these differences are scarce. The aim of the present research was to characterize different aspects of triacylglycerol (TG) metabolism and clock genes between Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats. For this purpose, 16 male Sprague-Dawley and 16 male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8) and fed either a normal-caloric (nc) diet or a hc diet for 6 weeks. After sacrifice, liver and epididymal, perirenal, mesenteric, and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots were dissected, weighed and immediately frozen. Liver TG content was quantified, RNA extracted for gene expression analysis and fatty acid synthase enzyme activity measured. Two-way ANOVA and Student's t test were used to perform the statistical analyses. Under hc feeding conditions, Wistar rats were more prone to fat accumulation in adipose tissue, especially in the epididymal fat depot, due to their increased lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake. By contrast, both strains of rats showed similarly fatty livers after hc feeding. Peripheral clock machinery seems to be a potential explanatory mechanism for Wistar and Sprague-Dawley strain differences. In conclusion, Wistar strain seems to be the best choice as animal model in dietary-induced obesity studies.

Lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and liver from diet-induced obese rats: a comparison between Wistar and Sprague-Dawley strains

Some researchers have proposed important variations in adipose tissue among different strains of rats and mice in response to a high-caloric (hc) diet, but data concerning the mechanisms underlying these differences are scarce. The aim of the present research was to characterize different aspects of triacylglycerol (TG) metabolism and clock genes between Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats. For this purpose, 16 male Sprague-Dawley and 16 male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8) and fed either a normal-caloric (nc) diet or a hc diet for 6 weeks. After sacrifice, liver and epididymal, perirenal, mesenteric, and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots were dissected, weighed and immediately frozen. Liver TG content was quantified, RNA extracted for gene expression analysis and fatty acid synthase enzyme activity measured. Two-way ANOVA and Student’s t test were used to perform the statistical analyses. Under hc feeding conditions, Wistar rats were more prone to fat accumulation in adipose tissue, especially in the epididymal fat depot, due to their increased lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake. By contrast, both strains of rats showed similarly fatty livers after hc feeding. Peripheral clock machinery seems to be a potential explanatory mechanism for Wistar and Sprague-Dawley strain differences. In conclusion, Wistar strain seems to be the best choice as animal model in dietary-induced obesity studies