Mediterranean-like mix of fatty acids induces cellular protection on lipid-overloaded hepatocytes from western diet fed mice.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease remains as one of the main liver disorders worldwide. It is widely accepted that is the kind of lipid, rather than the amount deposited in the cells that determines cell damage. Cholesterol and saturated free fatty acids are deleterious lipids when accumulated but, in contrast, there are some valuable lipids that could counteract those with harmful properties. Much of this knowledge arises from studies using a single fatty acid, but the effects of a combination of fatty acids, as obtained by diet has been poorly addressed. In the present work, we were focused to figure out the cellular effect of two different mixes of fatty acids, one with high proportion of saturated fatty acids, and another one with high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (Mediterranean-like) in a cellular model of steatosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Primary mouse hepatocytes from animals fed with a western diet (high fat and carbohydrates diet), were treated with both mixes of fatty acids for 24 h. RESULTS: Our data clearly show that only the high unsaturated fatty acid mix induced a decrease in triglycerides (47.5%) and cholesterol (59%) content in steatotic hepatocytes mediating cellular protection associated to the decrement of ROS and oxidative damage. The mixture of high saturated fatty acids exhibited no effects, preserving high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and oxidative damage. In conclusion, our results show that Mediterranean-like mix of fatty acids exerts cellular protection in steatosis by decreasing triglycerides, cholesterol, ROS content and oxidative damage.

Raet1e Polymorphisms Are Associated with Increased Risk of Developing Premature Coronary Artery Disease and with Some Cardiometabolic Parameters: The GEA Mexican Study.

In an animal model, new evidence has been reported supporting the role of raet1e as an atherosclerosis-associated gene. Our objective was to establish if raet1e polymorphisms are associated with the risk of developing premature coronary artery disease (CAD) or with the presence of cardiometabolic parameters. After an informatic analysis, five polymorphisms were chosen and determined in 1158 patients with premature CAD and 1104 controls using 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays. Standardized questionnaires were applied to all participants to obtain family medical history, demographic information, history of nutritional habits, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and pharmacological treatment. The functional effect of the rs7756850 polymorphism was analyzed by luciferase assays. Under different models, adjusted by age, gender, body mass index, current smoking, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the rs6925151 (OR = 1.250, p heterozygote = 0.026; OR = 1.268, p codominant1 = 0.034), rs9371533 (OR = 1.255, p heterozygote = 0.024), rs7756850 (OR = 1.274, p heterozygote = 0.016; OR = 1.294, p codominant1 = 0.031), and rs9383921 (OR = 1.232, p heterozygote = 0.037) polymorphisms were associated with increased risk of premature CAD. When compared to the rs7756850 G allele, the C allele showed a decreased luciferase activity. In premature CAD patients, associations with low levels of adiponectin, with a high presence of hypertension, and with high levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase and total cholesterol were observed. In healthy controls, associations with a decrease in LDL pattern B, aspartate aminotransaminase, and hypo-α-lipoproteinemia were detected. An association of the raet1e polymorphisms with an increased risk of developing premature CAD and with cardiometabolic parameters has been shown for the first time. In addition, the functional effect of the rs7756850 polymorphism was defined.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms, ß-cell Function, and Vitamin D Status in Non-obese Mexican Adults.

BACKGROUND: FokI (rs2228570 T>C) and BsmI (rs1544410 A>G) polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) have been associated to abnormal glucose metabolism and could be inversely associated with ß-cell function (BCF) and vitamin D status. There is a lack of information about this topic in the Mexican population. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms FokI and BsmI with BCF and vitamin D status in a population of non-obese Mexican adults. METHODS: A sample of 192 participants were enrolled during 2016-2018. Blood samples were collected to determine fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, and vitamin D. Genomic DNA was isolated from leucocytes and the polymorphic variants of FokI and BsmI were analyzed. The Homeostasis Model Assessment Calculator was used to estimate the BCF (HOMA2-B). RESULTS: FokI polymorphism showed a frequency of 20.1% for homozygous TT carriers and 7.8% for the BsmI GG. The recessive model of FokI (TT genotype) showed a lower mean value of BCF compared to the combination of CC + CT (99.2 vs. 109.6%, p = 0.045). Likewise, significantly lower mean values of HOMA2-B and insulin were observed for BsmI (GG genotype, p = 0.016 and p = 0.039, respectively). After covariates adjustment, only FokI polymorphism remained as an independent predictor of BCF. CONCLUSIONS: the TT and GG variants of the FokI and BsmI polymorphisms are related to a decrease in FCB. In the case of FokI, this decrement was independent of insulin sensitivity, vitamin D levels, percentage of body fat, gender, and age.

Heritability and genetic correlation between GERD symptoms severity, metabolic syndrome, and inflammation markers in families living in Mexico City.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability (h2) and genetic correlation (ρG) between GERD symptoms severity, metabolic syndrome components, and inflammation markers in Mexican families. METHODS: Cross-sectional study which included 32 extended families resident in Mexico City. GERD symptoms severity was assessed by the ReQuest in Practice questionnaire. Heritability and genetic correlation were determined using the Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines software. RESULTS: 585 subjects were included, the mean age was 42 (±16.7) years, 57% were women. The heritability of the severity of some GERD symptoms was h2 = 0.27, 0.27, 0.37, and 0.34 (p-value <1.0x10-5) for acidity complaints, lower abdominal complaints, sleep disturbances, and total ReQuest score, respectively. Heritability of metabolic syndrome components ranged from 0.40 for fasting plasma glucose to 0.61 for body mass index and diabetes mellitus. The heritability for fibrinogen and C-reactive protein was 0.64 and 0.38, respectively. Statistically significant genetic correlations were found between acidity complaints and fasting plasma glucose (ρG = 0.40); sleep disturbances and fasting plasma glucose (ρG = 0.36); acidity complaints and diabetes mellitus (ρG = 0.49) and between total ReQuest score and fasting plasma glucose (ρG = 0.43). The rest of metabolic syndrome components did not correlate with GERD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Genetic factors substantially explain the phenotypic variance of the severity of some GERD symptoms, metabolic syndrome components and inflammation markers. Observed genetic correlations suggest that these phenotypes share common genes. These findings suggest conducting further investigation, as the determination of a linkage analysis in order to identify regions of susceptibility for developing of GERD and metabolic syndrome.

Molecular cloning of the myo-inositol oxygenase gene from the kidney of baboons.

The enzyme myo-Inositol oxygenase (MIOX) is also termed ALDRL6. It is a kidney-specific member of the aldo-keto reductase family. MIOX catalyzes the first reaction involved in the myo-inositol metabolism signaling pathway and is fully expressed in mammalian tissues. MIOX catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of myo-Inositol and its epimer, D-chiro-Inositol to D-glucuronate. The dioxygen-dependent cleavage of the C6 and C1 bond in myo-Inositol is achieved by utilizing the Fe2+/Fe3+ binuclear iron center of MIOX. This enzyme has also been implicated in the complications of diabetes, including diabetic nephropathy. The MIOX gene was amplified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from baboon tissue samples, and the product was cloned and sequenced. MIOX expression in the baboon kidney is described in the present study. The percentages of nucleotide and amino acid similarities between baboons and humans were 95 and 96%, respectively. The MIOX protein of the baboon may be structurally identical to that of humans. Furthermore, the evolutionary changes, which have affected these sequences, have resulted from purifying forces.

Adipose tissue redistribution caused by an early consumption of a high sucrose diet in a rat model.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. The quantity and site of accumulation of adipose tissue is of great importance for the physiopathology of this disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a high carbohydrate diet on adipose tissue distribution. METHODS: Male Wistar rats, control (CONT) and high sucrose diet (HSD; 30% sucrose in their drinking water), were monitored during 24 weeks and total energy and macronutrient intake were estimated by measuring daily average consumption. A bioelectrical impedance procedure was performed at 22 weeks of treatment to assess body compartments and systolic arterial blood pressure was measured. Serum was obtained and retroperitoneal adipose tissue was collected and weighed. RESULTS: HSD ingested less pellets and beverage, consuming less lipids and proteins than CONT, but the same amount of carbohydrates. Retroperitoneal adipose tissue was more abundant in HSD. Both groups were normoglycemic; triglycerides, adiponectin and leptin levels were higher, while total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were lower in HSD; insulin, HOMA index and systolic blood pressure had a tendency of being higher in HSD. DISCUSSION: This model presents dyslipidemia and a strong tendency for insulin resistance and hypertension. Even though there was no difference in body compartments between groups, retroperitoneal adipose tissue was significantly increased in HSD. This suggests that a rearrangement of adipose tissue distribution towards the abdominal cavity takes place as a result of chronic high sucrose consumption, which contributes to a higher risk of suffering from metabolic and chronic degenerative diseases.

Introducción: la obesidad es uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública en todo el mundo. El momento en que se establecee, la distribución y cantidad de tejido adiposo son de gran importancia para comprender su fisiopatología. Objetivos: observar la distribución de tejido adiposo en una dieta alta en sacarosa desde una edad temprana en un modelo animal. Métodos: se utilizaron ratas Wistar recién destetadas, animales control (CONT; agua ad libitum) y animales con dieta alta en sacarosa (HSD; 30% de sacarosa en el agua) durante 24 semanas. Se calcularon las kilocalorías y macronutrientes ingeridos diariamente; se evaluaron por impedancia bioeléctrica los compartimientos corporales, se midió la presión sistólica, se obtuvo el tejido adiposo retroperitoneal y el suero para medir parámetros bioquímicos. Resultados: los animales HSD comieron y bebieron menos, obteniendo menos proteínas y lípidos, sin diferencia en los hidratos de carbono. El tejido adiposo fue más abundante en HSD. Ambos grupos CONT Y HSD fueron normoglucémicos; HSD tuvieron triglicéridos, adiponectina y leptina altos, y el colesterol y las HDL más bajos; la insulina, el HOMA y la presión sistólica tuvieron tendencia a ser mayores en HSD. Discusión: este modelo presenta dislipidemia y una tendencia a tener resistencia a la insulina e hipertensión. A pesar de no haber una diferencia en los compartimentos corporales entre grupos, el tejido adiposo tuvo una localización específica en la espalda y fue más abundante en HSD. En conclusión, la distribución de grasa en el abdomen es consecuencia de una ingestión crónica alta en sacarosa, lo que predispone a padecer enfermedades crónico-degenerativas.