Dietary Carotenoids in Managing Metabolic Syndrome and Role of PPARs in the Process

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-853
Author(s):  
Raghunandan Purohith ◽  
Nagendra P.M. Nagalingaswamy ◽  
Nanjunda S. Shivananju

Metabolic syndrome is a collective term that denotes disorder in metabolism, symptoms of which include hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and endothelial dysfunction. Diet is a major predisposing factor in the development of metabolic syndrome, and dietary intervention is necessary for both prevention and management. The bioactive constituents of food play a key role in this process. Micronutrients such as vitamins, carotenoids, amino acids, flavonoids, minerals, and aromatic pigment molecules found in fruits, vegetables, spices, and condiments are known to have beneficial effects in preventing and managing metabolic syndrome. There exists a well-established relationship between oxidative stress and major pathological conditions such as inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Consequently, dietary antioxidants are implicated in the remediation of these complications. The mechanism of action and targets of dietary antioxidants as well as their effects on related pathways are being extensively studied and elucidated in recent times. This review attempts a comprehensive study of the role of dietary carotenoids in alleviating metabolic syndromewith an emphasis on molecular mechanism-in the light of recent advances.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 682
Author(s):  
Serena Coppola ◽  
Carmen Avagliano ◽  
Antonio Calignano ◽  
Roberto Berni Canani

Worldwide obesity is a public health concern that has reached pandemic levels. Obesity is the major predisposing factor to comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The common forms of obesity are multifactorial and derive from a complex interplay of environmental changes and the individual genetic predisposition. Increasing evidence suggest a pivotal role played by alterations of gut microbiota (GM) that could represent the causative link between environmental factors and onset of obesity. The beneficial effects of GM are mainly mediated by the secretion of various metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate are small organic metabolites produced by fermentation of dietary fibers and resistant starch with vast beneficial effects in energy metabolism, intestinal homeostasis and immune responses regulation. An aberrant production of SCFAs has emerged in obesity and metabolic diseases. Among SCFAs, butyrate emerged because it might have a potential in alleviating obesity and related comorbidities. Here we reviewed the preclinical and clinical data that contribute to explain the role of butyrate in this context, highlighting its crucial contribute in the diet-GM-host health axis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 162 (33) ◽  
pp. 1318-1327
Author(s):  
Tamás Halmos ◽  
Ilona Suba

Összefoglaló. Az emberek a lehető leghosszabb ideig akarnak élni, jó egészségben. Ha kiküszöbölnénk a kedvezőtlen külső körülményeket, a várható élettartam meghaladhatná a 100 évet. A 20. és 21. században a jóléti társadalmakban a várható élettartam jelentősen megnőtt, így Magyarországon is. Az áttekintett irodalom alapján megvizsgáltuk, hogy a genetika és az öröklődés mellett milyen endokrinológiai és metabolikus tényezők játszanak szerepet az élet meghosszabbításában. Megvizsgáltunk minden endogén tényezőt, amely pozitívan vagy negatívan befolyásolhatja az életkorral összefüggő betegségeket (Alzheimer-kór, szív- és érrendszeri betegségek, rák) és az élettartamot. Kiemeltük a hyperinsulinaemia, az inzulinrezisztencia, a metabolikus szindróma öregedést gyorsító hatását, az inzulinszerű növekedési hormon-1 ellentmondásos szerepét, valamint az élet meghosszabbításában részt vevő, újabban felfedezett peptideket, mint a klotho és a humanin. Ismertettük a mitochondriumok szerepét az élettartam meghatározásában, bemutattuk a mitohormesis folyamatát és annak stresszvédő funkcióját. Bemutattuk a rapamicin célszervét, az mTOR-t, amelynek gátlása meghosszabbítja az élettartamot, valamint a szirtuinokat. Kitértünk az autophagia folyamatára, és ismertettük a szenolitikumok szerepét az öregedésben. Az időskori autoimmunitás csökkenése hozzájárul az élettartam rövidüléséhez, utaltunk a thymus koordináló szerepére. Kiemeltük a bélmikrobiom fontos szerepét az élettartam szabályozásában. Hivatkoztunk a „centenáriusok” megfigyeléséből nyert humánadatokra. Megvizsgáltuk, milyen beavatkozási lehetőségek állnak rendelkezésre az egészségben tölthető élettartam meghosszabbításához. Az életmódbeli lehetőségek közül kiemeltük a kalóriabevitel-csökkentés és a testmozgás jótékony szerepét. Megvizsgáltuk egyes gyógyszerek feltételezett hatásait. Ezek közé tartozik a metformin, az akarbóz, a rezveratrol. E gyógyszerek mindegyikének hatása hasonló a kalóriamegszorításéhoz. Nincs olyan „csodaszer”, amely igazoltan meghosszabbítja az élettartamot emberben. Egyes géneknek és génmutációknak jótékony hatásuk van, de ezt környezeti tényezők, betegségek, balesetek és más külső ártalmak módosíthatják. Kiemeljük az elhízás, az alacsony fokozatú gyulladás és az inzulinrezisztencia öregedésre gyakorolt gyorsító hatását. A metabolikus szindróma elterjedtsége miatt ez jelentős népegészségügyi kockázatot jelent. Az inzulin, a növekedési hormon és az inzulinszerű növekedési faktorok hatásainak értékelése továbbra is ellentmondásos. Az egészséges, szellemileg és fizikailag aktív életmód, a kalóriacsökkentés mindenképpen előnyös. Az életet meghosszabbító szerek értékelése még vitatott. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(33): 1318–1327. Summary. People want to live as long as possible in good health. If we eliminate the unfavorable external conditions, the life expectancy could exceed 100 years. In the 20th and 21th centuries, life expectancy in welfare societies increased significantly, including in Hungary. Based on the reviewed literature, we examined what endocrinological and metabolic factors play a role in prolonging life in addition to genetics and inheritance. We examined all endogenous factors that can positively or negatively affect age-related diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer) and longevity. We highlighted the aging effects of hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, the controversial role of insulin-like growth factor-1, and more recently discovered peptides involved in prolonging lifespan, such as klotho and humanin. We described the role of mitochondria in determining longevity, we demonstrated the process of mitohormesis and its stress-protective function. We presented the target organ of rapamycin, mTOR, the inhibition of which prolongs lifespan, as well as sirtuins. We covered the process of autophagy and described the role of senolytics in aging. The decrease in autoimmunity in old age contributes to the shortening of life expectancy, we referred to the coordinating role of the thymus. We highlighted the important role of intestinal microbiome in the regulation of longevity. We referred to human data obtained from observations on “centenarians”. We examined what intervention options are available to prolong healthy life expectancy. Among the lifestyle options, we highlighted the beneficial role of calorie reduction and exercise. We examined the putative beneficial effects of some drugs. These include metformin, acarbose, resveratrol. The effect of each of these drugs is similar to calorie restriction. There is no “miracle cure” that has been shown to prolong life-span in humans. Some genes and gene mutations have beneficial effects, but this can be modified by environmental factors, diseases, accidents, and other external harms. We highlight the accelerating effects of obesity, low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance on aging. Due to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, this poses a significant risk to public health. The assessment of the effects of insulin, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factors remains controversial. A healthy, mentally and physically active lifestyle, calorie reduction is definitely beneficial. The evaluation of life-prolonging agents is still controversial. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(33): 1318–1327.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonomini ◽  
Elisa Borsani ◽  
Gaia Favero ◽  
Luigi Rodella ◽  
Rita Rezzani

In the therapeutic strategies, the role of diet is a well-established factor that can also have an important role in liver diseases. Melatonin, identified in animals, has many antioxidant properties and it was after discovered also in plants, named phytomelatonin. These substances have a positive effect during aging and in pathological conditions too. In particular, it is important to underline that the amount of melatonin produced by pineal gland in human decreases during lifetime and its reduction in blood could be related to pathological conditions in which mitochondria and oxidative stress play a pivotal role. Moreover, it has been indicated that melatonin/phytomelatonin containing foods may provide dietary melatonin, so their ingestion through balanced diets could be sufficient to confer health benefits. In this review, the classification of liver diseases and an overview of the most important aspects of melatonin/phytomelatonin, concerning the differences among their synthesis, their presence in foods and their role in health and diseases, are summarized. The findings suggest that melatonin/phytomelatonin supplementation with diet should be considered important in preventing different disease settings, in particular in liver. Currently, more studies are needed to strengthen the potential beneficial effects of melatonin/phytomelatonin in liver diseases and to better clarify the molecular mechanisms of action.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1227
Author(s):  
Marco B. Morelli ◽  
Jessica Gambardella ◽  
Vanessa Castellanos ◽  
Valentina Trimarco ◽  
Gaetano Santulli

The potential beneficial effects of the antioxidant properties of vitamin C have been investigated in a number of pathological conditions. In this review, we assess both clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the role of vitamin C in cardiac and vascular disorders, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and cerebrovascular diseases. Pitfalls and controversies in investigations on vitamin C and cardiovascular disorders are also discussed.


Author(s):  
Amandine Girousse ◽  
Maxime Mathieu ◽  
Quentin Sastourné-Arrey ◽  
Sylvie Monferran ◽  
Louis Casteilla ◽  
...  

To coordinate specialized organs, inter-tissue communication appeared during evolution. Consequently, individual organs communicate their states via a vast interorgan communication network (ICN) made up of peptides, proteins, and metabolites that act between organs to coordinate cellular processes under homeostasis and stress. However, the nature of the interorgan signaling could be even more complex and involve mobilization mechanisms of unconventional cells that are still poorly described. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) virtually reside in all tissues, though the biggest reservoir discovered so far is adipose tissue where they are named adipose stromal cells (ASCs). MSCs are thought to participate in tissue maintenance and repair since the administration of exogenous MSCs is well known to exert beneficial effects under several pathological conditions. However, the role of endogenous MSCs is barely understood. Though largely debated, the presence of circulating endogenous MSCs has been reported in multiple pathophysiological conditions, but the significance of such cell circulation is not known and therapeutically untapped. In this review, we discuss current knowledge on the circulation of native MSCs, and we highlight recent findings describing MSCs as putative key components of the ICN.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Reddel ◽  
Lorenza Putignani ◽  
Federica Del Chierico

The gut microbiota performs several essential protective, structural, and metabolic functions for host health. The maintenance of a beneficial microbiota requires a homeostatic equilibrium within microbial communities, and between the microorganisms and the host. The gut microbiota composition may be affected by external factors, among them diet habits may be considered most important. In some pathological conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease (CD), or neurological disorders (ND), specific dietary regimens as low-fermentable, oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs), ketogenic (KD), and gluten-free (GFD) diets are considered therapeutic. These kinds of diets are characterized by a reduction or exclusion of a specific nutrient from the entire dietary pattern. Despite these alimentary regimens showing beneficial effects on disease symptoms, they can affect microbiota composition, especially if they are protracted for a long time. To date, only a few studies have reported the effects of these diets on gut microbiota. In this review, we discuss the effects of low-FODMAPs, KD, and GFD on gut microbiota modulation in pathological conditions, advancing the possibility of depicting a balanced diet and developing personalized dietary intervention protocols.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1589
Author(s):  
Erica Sarchielli ◽  
Paolo Comeglio ◽  
Sandra Filippi ◽  
Ilaria Cellai ◽  
Giulia Guarnieri ◽  
...  

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known to be associated to inflammation and alteration in the hypothalamus, a brain region implicated in the control of several physiological functions, including energy homeostasis and reproduction. Previous studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of testosterone treatment (TTh) in counteracting some MetS symptoms in both animal models and clinical studies. This study investigated the effect of TTh (30 mg/kg/week for 12 weeks) on the hypothalamus in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced animal model of MetS, utilizing quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. The animal model recapitulates the human MetS features, including low testosterone/gonadotropin plasma levels. TTh significantly improved MetS-induced hypertension, visceral adipose tissue accumulation, and glucose homeostasis derangements. Within hypothalamus, TTh significantly counteracted HFD-induced inflammation, as detected in terms of expression of inflammatory markers and microglial activation. Moreover, TTh remarkably reverted the HFD-associated alterations in the expression of important regulators of energy status and reproduction, such as the melanocortin and the GnRH-controlling network. Our results suggest that TTh may exert neuroprotective effects on the HFD-related hypothalamic alterations, with positive outcomes on the circuits implicated in the control of energy metabolism and reproductive tasks, thus supporting a possible role of TTh in the clinical management of MetS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 315 ◽  
pp. e262
Author(s):  
E. Formisano ◽  
A. Pasta ◽  
A.L. Cremonini ◽  
C. Garrubba ◽  
P. Borro ◽  
...  

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 954
Author(s):  
Maria Ponticelli ◽  
Daniela Russo ◽  
Immacolata Faraone ◽  
Chiara Sinisgalli ◽  
Fabiana Labanca ◽  
...  

For centuries, natural medicines have represented the only option for treating human diseases and, nowadays, plant phytochemicals are considered as promising compounds to treat or prevent chronic conditions. Among them, hop flowers (Humulus lupulus L.), typically used in brewing industries to give the typical aroma and flavor to beer, have attracted particular attention for their health promoting properties. Several in vivo/vitro studies and human interventional trials have demonstrated the beneficial effects of these molecules on weight gain, lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivities, and inflammation by acting on different targets. All these activities suggest a possible role of bitter hop acid in preventing metabolic syndrome and its related diseases. A systematic quest on PubMed and Scopus databases was performed to identify pre-clinical and clinical studies focusing on this topic. This systematic review summarizes the results obtained by different cell lines, animal models, and human interventional trials to propose iso-α-acids as medical nutrition therapy to treat or prevent metabolic syndrome and its related disorders as diabetes, dislipidemia inflammation, etc.


Medicines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Scherma ◽  
Paolo Masia ◽  
Matteo Deidda ◽  
Walter Fratta ◽  
Gianluigi Tanda ◽  
...  

Following the discovery of the endocannabinoid system and its potential as a therapeutic target for various pathological conditions, growing interest led researchers to investigate the role of cannabis and its derivatives for medical purposes. The compounds Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are the most abundant phytocannabinoids found in cannabis extracts, as well as the most studied. The present review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence for their beneficial effects in treating psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. Nevertheless, further investigations are required to clarify many pending issues, especially those relative to the assessment of benefits and risks when using cannabis for therapeutic purposes, thereby also helping national and federal jurisdictions to remain updated.


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