Effect of various dietary fructose concentrations on the gallstone formation process in mice / Efecto de diversas concentraciones de fructosa dietética en el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares en ratones

Background: little information is availaible on the effect of fructose on bile lipids. The first stage in the formation of gallstones corresponds tobiliary cholesterol crystallization, derived from the vesicular transporters. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of consumingdiets with different fructose concentrations on serum lipids and their implications on gallstones formation. Methods: BALB/c mice divided into a control group as well as groups were treated with different fructose concentrations (10 %, 30 %, 50 % or70 %) for different periods (1, 2 or 5 months). Blood, liver and bile samples were obtained. In bile samples, cholesterol and phospholipids levelswere analyzed, and cholesterol transporters (vesicles and micelles) were separated by gel filtration chromatography. Results: treated animals showed: 1) increases in body weight similar to the control group; 2) a significant increase in plasma triglycerides only atvery high fructose concentrations; 3) a significant increase in total serum cholesterol in the treatment for 1 month; 4) no variations in HDL-cho-lesterol; 5) a significant increase in serum glucose only at very high fructose concentrations in the second month of treatment; 6) no differencesin the plasma alanine-aminotransferase activity; 7) a significant increase in liver triglyceride levels only at very high fructose concentrations; 8)no change in biliary lipid concentrations or in micellar and vesicular phospholipids.Conclusion: changes in plasma, liver and bile lipids were only observed at very high fructose concentrations diets. We conclude that fructoseapparently does not alter the gallstone formation process in our experimental model.(AU)

Introducción: se dispone de escasa información sobre el efecto de la fructosa sobre los lípidos biliares. La primera etapa en la formación decálculos biliares corresponde a la cristalización del colesterol biliar, derivado de los transportadores vesiculares. El objetivo de este estudio fueinvestigar la influencia del consumo de dietas con diferentes concentraciones de fructosa en los lípidos séricos y sus implicaciones en el procesode formación de cálculos biliares.Métodos: ratones BALB/c fueron tratados con diferentes concentraciones de fructosa (10 %, 30 %, 50 % o 70 %) durante diferentes períodos(1, 2 o 5 meses). Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre, hígado y bilis. En muestras de bilis se analizaron los niveles de colesterol y fosfolípidos, ylos transportadores de colesterol (vesículas y micelas) se separaron mediante cromatografía de filtración en gel.Resultados: los animales tratados mostraron: 1) aumentos en el peso corporal similares al grupo de control; 2) aumento significativo en lostriglicéridos plasmáticos sólo a concentraciones muy altas de fructosa; 3) aumento significativo del colesterol sérico total en el tratamientodurante 1 mes; 4) ninguna variación en los niveles de HDL-colesterol; 5) aumento significativo en glucosa sérica solo a concentraciones muyaltas de fructosa; 6) ninguna diferencia en la actividad de la alanina-aminotransferasa plasmática; 7) aumento significativo en los niveles detriglicéridos hepáticos sólo a concentraciones muy altas de fructosa; 8) ningún cambio en las concentraciones de lípidos biliares o en los fos-folípidos micelares y vesiculares.Conclusión: se observaron cambios en los lípidos plasmáticos, hígado y bilis sólo en dietas con concentraciones muy altas de fructosa. Con-cluimos que la fructosa aparentemente no altera el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares en nuestro modelo experimental.(AU)

Effect of various dietary fructose concentrations on the gallstone formation process in mice.

Introduction: Background: little information is availaible on the effect of fructose on bile lipids. The first stage in the formation of gallstones corresponds to biliary cholesterol crystallization, derived from the vesicular transporters. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of consuming diets with different fructose concentrations on serum lipids and their implications on gallstones formation. Methods: BALB/c mice divided into a control group as well as groups were treated with different fructose concentrations (10 %, 30 %, 50 % or 70 %) for different periods (1, 2 or 5 months). Blood, liver and bile samples were obtained. In bile samples, cholesterol and phospholipids levels were analyzed, and cholesterol transporters (vesicles and micelles) were separated by gel filtration chromatography. Results: treated animals showed: 1) increases in body weight similar to the control group; 2) a significant increase in plasma triglycerides only at very high fructose concentrations; 3) a significant increase in total serum cholesterol in the treatment for 1 month; 4) no variations in HDL-cholesterol; 5) a significant increase in serum glucose only at very high fructose concentrations in the second month of treatment; 6) no differences in the plasma alanine-aminotransferase activity; 7) a significant increase in liver triglyceride levels only at very high fructose concentrations; 8) no change in biliary lipid concentrations or in micellar and vesicular phospholipids. Conclusion: changes in plasma, liver and bile lipids were only observed at very high fructose concentrations diets. We conclude that fructose apparently does not alter the gallstone formation process in our experimental model.

Introducción: Introducción: se dispone de escasa información sobre el efecto de la fructosa sobre los lípidos biliares. La primera etapa en la formación de cálculos biliares corresponde a la cristalización del colesterol biliar, derivado de los transportadores vesiculares. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la influencia del consumo de dietas con diferentes concentraciones de fructosa en los lípidos séricos y sus implicaciones en el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares. Métodos: ratones BALB/c fueron tratados con diferentes concentraciones de fructosa (10 %, 30 %, 50 % o 70 %) durante diferentes períodos (1, 2 o 5 meses). Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre, hígado y bilis. En muestras de bilis se analizaron los niveles de colesterol y fosfolípidos, y los transportadores de colesterol (vesículas y micelas) se separaron mediante cromatografía de filtración en gel. Resultados: los animales tratados mostraron: 1) aumentos en el peso corporal similares al grupo de control; 2) aumento significativo en los triglicéridos plasmáticos sólo a concentraciones muy altas de fructosa; 3) aumento significativo del colesterol sérico total en el tratamiento durante 1 mes; 4) ninguna variación en los niveles de HDL-colesterol; 5) aumento significativo en glucosa sérica solo a concentraciones muy altas de fructosa; 6) ninguna diferencia en la actividad de la alanina-aminotransferasa plasmática; 7) aumento significativo en los niveles de triglicéridos hepáticos sólo a concentraciones muy altas de fructosa; 8) ningún cambio en las concentraciones de lípidos biliares o en los fosfolípidos micelares y vesiculares. Conclusión: se observaron cambios en los lípidos plasmáticos, hígado y bilis sólo en dietas con concentraciones muy altas de fructosa. Concluimos que la fructosa aparentemente no altera el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares en nuestro modelo experimental.

Hábitos alimentarios en estudiantes universitarios de la Región de Bío-Bío, Chile, 2017 / Eating habits in university students of the Bío-Bío Region, Chile, 2017

Resumen Antecedentes: las conductas poco saludables, como baja actividad física, ayuno prolongado, con sumo de alimentos de alta densidad energética y baja ingesta de frutas y verduras repercuten en la salud. Objetivo: conocer los hábitos alimentarios de estudiantes del Campus San Andrés de la Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Región del Bío-Bío, Chile. Materiales y métodos: se aplicó la encuesta dicotómica "¿Es tu alimentación saludable?" en 350 estudiantes. Resulta dos: el 75 % de los encuestados tenía una alimentación no saludable o poco saludable, con mayor prevalencia en el rango etario entre 17-20 años (78 %). Se destaca el bajo consumo de frutas (<20 %), verduras (42 %) y agua (46 %), junto con una baja prevalencia de conductas saludables/responsables, como evitar alimentos azucarados (36 %) o embutidos (38 %) y revisar los etiquetados nutriciona les (37 %). Los hombres presentaron mayor consumo de pan, carnes blancas y agua (p<0,05), mientras que las mujeres declararon en mayor porcentaje evitar embutidos, revisar los etique tados nutricionales (p<0,01), preferir alimentos azucarados y comer de forma adecuada (p<0,05). Conclusiones: los estudiantes universitarios encuestados presentan hábitos alimentarios poco salu dables, asociados principalmente a bajo consumo de frutas y verduras.

Abstract Background: Unhealthy behaviors such as low physical activity, prolonged fasting, consumption of energy-dense foods and low consumption of fruits and vegetables have repercussions on health. Objective: To understand the dietary habits of students from the San Andres campus of the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, in the Bío-Bío region of Chile. Materials and Methods: The dichotomous survey, "Is your diet healthy?" was applied to 350 students. Results: The survey revealed that 75% of the students had an unhealthy diet, with a greater prevalence in those between 17-20 years of age (78%). It also demonstrated a low consumption of fruits (<20%), vegetables (42%) and water (46%), together with a low prevalence of healthy/responsible behaviors like avoiding sugary foods (36%), avoiding processed meats (38%), and reading nutrition labels (37%). Men reported a greater consumption of bread, white meats, and water (p<0,05), while women reported the greatest percentages of avoiding processed meats, read ing nutrition labels (p<0,01), and preferred sugary foods and eating properly (p<0,05). Conclusion: The surveyed university students presented poor dietary habits, primarily associated with low consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Una mirada actual de la vitamina C en salud y enfermedad / Vitamin C in health and disease: a current perspective

RESUMEN La vitamina C es uno de los antioxidantes más conocidos. Su ingesta ha sido asociada a un sinnúmero de beneficios, algunos de los cuales tienen un sustento científico débil o inexistente. En esta revisión se presentan en forma resumida aspectos biológicos que determinan la homeostasis de la vitamina C y se discute la información disponible sobre sus posibles efectos benéficos y su ingesta, en diversos países con especial énfasis en algunos grupos de riesgo. También se presentan sus efectos benéficos en inflamación, cáncer y enfermedades cardiovasculares, así como su acción de inmunomodulador y regulador epigenético. Se revisan también algunas fuentes dietarias de vitamina C y los factores que influyen en su estabilidad. Terminando con un análisis general de los trabajos relacionados con conducta de vida saludable en países latinoamericanos, que reflejan los malos hábitos alimentarios y que podrían dar cuenta de una hipovitaminosis de vitamina C aún no reportada y repercutir en el desarrollo de envejecimiento precoz y enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles.

ABSTRACT Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant. Its intake has been associated with a number of benefits, some of which lack a scientific basis. This review summarizes important biological aspects that determine vitamin C homeostasis, discusses the available information on its possible beneficial effects and its intake in various countries, with special emphasis on some risk groups. The beneficial effects of this vitamin in inflammation, cancer and cardiovascular disease are also summarized, as well as its role as immuno-modulator and epigenetic regulator. Dietary sources of vitamin C and the factors that influence its stability are also presented. Finally, an overview of the research conducted on healthy lifestyles in Latin-American countries are presented. This research summarized provides evidence of poor eating habits, which could account for a vitamin C hypovitaminosis not yet reported that could be associated with unhealthy ageing and the development of non-transmissible chronic diseases.

GLUT1 and GLUT8 support lactose synthesis in Golgi of murine mammary epithelial cells.

The mammary gland increases energy requirements during pregnancy and lactation to support epithelial proliferation and milk nutrients synthesis. Lactose, the principal carbohydrate of the milk, is synthetized in the Golgi of mammary epithelial cells by lactose synthase from glucose and UPD galactose. We studied the temporal changes in the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT8 in mammary gland and their association with lactose synthesis and proliferation in BALB/c mice. Six groups were used: virgin, pregnant at 2 and 17 days, lactating at 2 and 10 days, and weaning at 2 days. Temporal expression of GLUT1 and GLUT8 transporters by qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry, and its association with lactalbumin, Ki67, and cytokeratin 18 within mammary tissue was studied, along with subcellular localization. GLUT1 and GLUT8 transporters increased their expression during mammary gland progression, reaching 20-fold increasing in GLUT1 mRNA at lactation (p < 0.05) and 2-fold at protein level for GLUT1 and GLUT8 (p < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). The temporal expression pattern was shared with cytokeratin 18 and Ki67 (p < 0.01). Endogenous GLUT8 partially co-localized with 58 K protein and α-lactalbumin in mammary tissue and with Golgi membrane-associated protein 130 in isolated epithelial cells. The spatial-temporal synchrony between expression of GLUT8/GLUT1 and alveolar cell proliferation, and its localization in cis-Golgi associated to lactose synthase complex, suggest that both transporters are involved in glucose uptake into this organelle, supporting lactose synthesis.

Efecto de una dieta alta en grasas en el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol / Effect of a high-fat diet on cholesterol gallstone formation

Background: It is known that some nutrients play an important role in the development of cholelithiasis. Cholesterol is carried by micelles and vesicles in the bile. During the first stage of gallstone formation, cholesterol crystals derive from thermodynamically unstable vesicles. Aim: To determine the effect of a high fat diet on blood lipids and bile composition, and its implication in the formation of gallstones. Material and Methods: Two groups of 15 BALB/c mice each, coming from the same litter, were treated with a control or with a high-fat diet (64% fat and 0.14% cholesterol). After two months, the animals were sacrificed, blood and bile samples were obtained. Serum glucose and the corresponding lipid profiles were measured. In bile samples, cholesterol and phospholipid levels were analyzed, and cholesterol transporters (vesicles and micelles) were separated by gel filtration chromatography. Results: Treated animals showed an 87% increase in serum total cholesterol (p < 0.01), a 97% increase in HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05) and a 140% increase in LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). No changes in serum triglycerides or glucose were observed. In bile, a 13% increase in biliary cholesterol (p < 0.05) was observed but no change in biliary phospholipids. Also, an increase in biliary vesicular transporters and an increase of cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in vesicular transporters were observed. Conclusions: A high fat diet may contribute to the formation of gallstones in our experimental model.

[Effect of a high-fat diet on cholesterol gallstone formation]. / Efecto de una dieta alta en grasas en el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol.

BACKGROUND: It is known that some nutrients play an important role in the development of cholelithiasis. Cholesterol is carried by micelles and vesicles in the bile. During the first stage of gallstone formation, cholesterol crystals derive from thermodynamically unstable vesicles. AIM: To determine the effect of a high fat diet on blood lipids and bile composition, and its implication in the formation of gallstones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of 15 BALB/c mice each, coming from the same litter, were treated with a control or with a high-fat diet (64% fat and 0.14% cholesterol). After two months, the animals were sacrificed, blood and bile samples were obtained. Serum glucose and the corresponding lipid profiles were measured. In bile samples, cholesterol and phospholipid levels were analyzed, and cholesterol transporters (vesicles and micelles) were separated by gel filtration chromatography. RESULTS: Treated animals showed an 87% increase in serum total cholesterol (p < 0.01), a 97% increase in HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05) and a 140% increase in LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). No changes in serum triglycerides or glucose were observed. In bile, a 13% increase in biliary cholesterol (p < 0.05) was observed but no change in biliary phospholipids. Also, an increase in biliary vesicular transporters and an increase of cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in vesicular transporters were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A high fat diet may contribute to the formation of gallstones in our experimental model.

[Effects of vitamin C administration on cholesterol gallstone formation]. / Efecto de la ingesta de vitamina C en el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol.

BACKGROUND: Biliary cholesterol is transported by vesicles and micelles. Cholesterol microcrystals are derived from thermodynamically unstable vesicles. In experimental animals vitamin C deficiency leads to a super-saturation of biliary cholesterol and to the formation of gallstones. AIM: To search for a possible relationship between serum levels of vitamin C and the formation of cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with cholelithiasis and a programmed surgical intervention were treated with 2 g/day of vitamin C per os for two weeks before surgery. Forty nine patients subjected to a cholecystectomy not supplemented with vitamin C were studied as controls. Plasma concentrations of vitamin C and lipid profiles were measured. The cholesterol saturation index, crystallization time, cholesterol and phospholipid content in vesicles and micelles, separated by gel filtration chromatography, were studied in bile samples obtained from the gallbladder. RESULTS: Vitamin C supplementation did not change significantly plasma lipids and bile lipid concentrations. However, in supplemented patients, significant reductions in vesicular cholesterol content (6.5 ± 4.8% compared to 17.9 ± 14.0% in the control group; p < 0.05) and vesicular cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (0.71 ± 0.53 compared to 1.36 ± 1.15 in controls; p < 0.05), were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C administration may modify bile cholesterol crystallization process, the first step in cholesterol gallstone formation.

Efecto de la ingesta de vitamina C en el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol / Effects of vitamin C administration on cholesterol gallstone formation

Background: Biliary cholesterol is transported by vesicles and micelles. Cholesterol microcrystals are derived from thermodynamically unstable vesicles. In experimental animals vitamin C deficiency leads to a super-saturation of biliary cholesterol and to the formation of gallstones. Aim: To search for a possible relationship between serum levels of vitamin C and the formation of cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis. Material and Methods: Thirteen patients with cholelithiasis and a programmed surgical intervention were treated with 2 g/day of vitamin C per os for two weeks before surgery. Forty nine patients subjected to a cholecystectomy not supplemented with vitamin C were studied as controls. Plasma concentrations of vitamin C and lipid profiles were measured. The cholesterol saturation index, crystallization time, cholesterol and phospholipid content in vesicles and micelles, separated by gel filtration chromatography, were studied in bile samples obtained from the gallbladder. Results: Vitamin C supplementation did not change significantly plasma lipids and bile lipid concentrations. However, in supplemented patients, significant reductions in vesicular cholesterol content (6.5 ± 4.8% compared to 17.9 ± 14.0% in the control group; p < 0.05) and vesicular cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (0.71 ± 0.53 compared to 1.36 ± 1.15 in controls; p < 0.05), were observed. Conclusions: Vitamin C administration may modify bile cholesterol crystallization process, the first step in cholesterol gallstone formation.

Design and customization of telemedicine systems.

In recent years, the advances in information and communication technology (ICT) have resulted in the development of systems and applications aimed at supporting rehabilitation therapy that contributes to enrich patients' life quality. This work is focused on the improvement of the telemedicine systems with the purpose of customizing therapies according to the profile and disability of patients. For doing this, as salient contribution, this work proposes the adoption of user-centered design (UCD) methodology for the design and development of telemedicine systems in order to support the rehabilitation of patients with neurological disorders. Finally, some applications of the UCD methodology in the telemedicine field are presented as a proof of concept.

Effect of white cell counts on the presence of human herpes simplex virus type-1 in saliva of pediatric oncology patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess if there is increased herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) salivary shedding in oncology pediatric patients with severe cytopenia (SC). STUDY DESIGN: HSV-1 was detected by real time PCR in saliva samples from oncology pediatric patients (n = 30) during SC and relative cytopenia (RC), and from healthy children (n = 27). RESULTS: The frequency of HSV-1 positive saliva samples was higher in patients with SC as compared to controls (P < .05), and this frequency presented a significant reduction during RC periods (P < .02). The SC group positive for HSV-1 presented both a twofold increase in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as compared with SC patients negative for HSV-1 (P < .05), and a positive correlation between neutrophil and lymphocyte counts (P < .05, R = 0.82, R(2) = 0.67). This correlation was not found in oncology patients negative for HSV-1 during SC and RC. CONCLUSION: Severe cytopenia in oncology pediatric patients could be an important susceptibility factor for increased HSV-1 salivary shedding.

Lipoprotein composition in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. Both quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of lipo-proteins are associated with the development of atherogenesis. In this study, the prevalence of dyslipidemia and the relative levels of glycosylated lipoproteins in 20 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus were determined. Lipid profile, apolipoproteins A-I and B, Lp(a) and LpA-I in plasma were assayed. LpB and glycosylated HDL and LDL were evaluated by ELISA. Diabetic patients and controls had normal lipid profiles, but the diabetic group showed significantly higher LpA-I and lower LpA-I:A-II concentrations than controls. The diabetic group showed a significantly higher glycosylation level of HDL than controls and did not show a statistical difference for glycosylated LDL. No significant correlation between glycosylated lipoproteins, glycemia or HbA1c was found. In conclusion, these results suggest that type 1 diabetic patients develop important qualitative lipid abnormalities.

An ELISA procedure for human Lp(a) quantitation using monoclonal antibodies.

The present study describes a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for the quantitation of lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), in human plasma. Two antibodies to Lp(a), 2F4E7 and 8G12G7, were produced and characterized as specific and high affinity antibodies against Lp(a). A reference control serum was utilized to prepare the standard curve in a Lp(a) concentration range from 0.015 to 0.5 ug/ml. A biotinylated monoclonal antibody against apoB-LDL was used as the second antibody. The comparison of the standardized ELISA using mAb 2F4E7 with an ELISA using a characterized mAb against Lp(a) (clone KO9) as capture antibody showed that the Lp(a) concentration of two standard sera was similar with both assays. Furthermore, when compared with an electroimmunoassay kit, similar Lp(a) concentrations for the standard were also obtained.