The Protective Role of Butyrate against Obesity and Obesity-Related Diseases

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.

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Review of Constipation Treatment Methods with Emphasis on Laxative Foods

Current Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.2174/1573401315666191002164336 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 675-688

Author(s):

Shamsi Abbasalizadeh ◽

Behzad Ebrahimi ◽

Aslan Azizi ◽

Rogaye Dargahi ◽

Maryam Tayebali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Health Concern ◽

Lifestyle Factor ◽

Flax Seed ◽

Lifestyle Modifications ◽

Food Ingredients ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Daily Exercise

Constipation is a common public health concern experienced by all individuals during their life affecting the quality of life. In this paper, we aimed to provide an overview of the existing evidence regarding the role of food ingredients, including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, and flax-seed in constipation treatment. We searched Scopus, Pub Med, and Science Direct by using the keywords, “laxative foods” and “constipation”, for searching studies assessing laxative food ingredients and their beneficial effects on constipation treatment and/or control. Lifestyle modifications such as increasing dietary fiber and fluid intake and daily exercise are the proposed first line treatments for constipation. Optimizing ‘diet’ as an efficient lifestyle factor may contribute to the well-being of patients. The use of laxative food ingredients including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, flax-seed, probiotics, and prebiotics is a convenient alternative to cope with constipation. According to previous findings, laxative food ingredients could be considered as effective treatments for subjects suffering from constipation. Many studies have assessed the pharmacological and non-pharmacological roles of these ingredients in treating constipation, however, their importance has not been thoroughly investigated.

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

Current Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.2174/1573401315666190619111557 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 846-853

Author(s):

Raghunandan Purohith ◽

Nagendra P.M. Nagalingaswamy ◽

Nanjunda S. Shivananju

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Dietary Intervention ◽

Bioactive Constituents ◽

Dietary Antioxidants ◽

Predisposing Factor ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

Established Relationship ◽

Comprehensive Study

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.

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Protective Role of Natural and Semi-Synthetic Tocopherols on TNFα-Induced ROS Production and ICAM-1 and Cl-2 Expression in HT29 Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10020160 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 160

Author(s):

Vladana Domazetovic ◽

Irene Falsetti ◽

Caterina Viglianisi ◽

Kristian Vasa ◽

Cinzia Aurilia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Protective Role ◽

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽

Intestinal Epithelial ◽

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Bowel Diseases

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble compound, possesses both antioxidant and non-antioxidant properties. In this study we evaluated, in intestinal HT29 cells, the role of natural tocopherols, α-Toc and δ-Toc, and two semi-synthetic derivatives, namely bis-δ-Toc sulfide (δ-Toc)2S and bis-δ-Toc disulfide (δ-Toc)2S2, on TNFα-induced oxidative stress, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and claudin-2 (Cl-2) expression. The role of tocopherols was compared to that of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant precursor of glutathione synthesis. The results show that all tocopherol containing derivatives used, prevented TNFα-induced oxidative stress and the increase of ICAM-1 and Cl-2 expression, and that (δ-Toc)2S and (δ-Toc)2S2 are more effective than δ-Toc and α-Toc. The beneficial effects demonstrated were due to tocopherol antioxidant properties, but suppression of TNFα-induced Cl-2 expression seems not only to be related with antioxidant ability. Indeed, while ICAM-1 expression is strongly related to the intracellular redox state, Cl-2 expression is TNFα-up-regulated by both redox and non-redox dependent mechanisms. Since ICAM-1 and Cl-2 increase intestinal bowel diseases, and cause excessive recruitment of immune cells and alteration of the intestinal barrier, natural and, above all, semi-synthetic tocopherols may have a potential role as a therapeutic support against intestinal chronic inflammation, in which TNFα represents an important proinflammatory mediator.

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Possible Protective Role of Melatonin in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Neurodevelopmental Pathologies

Journal of Child Science ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1716713 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (01) ◽

pp. e104-e109

Author(s):

Antonio Molina-Carballo ◽

Antonio Emilio Jerez-Calero ◽

Antonio Muñoz-Hoyos

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cell ◽

Free Radical ◽

Chronic Administration ◽

Protective Role ◽

Free Radical Scavenger ◽

Radical Scavenger ◽

Energetic Metabolism ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Molecular Crosstalk

AbstractMelatonin, produced in every cell that possesses mitochondria, acts as an endogenous free radical scavenger, and improves energetic metabolism and immune function, by complex molecular crosstalk with other intracellular compounds. There is greatly increasing evidence regarding beneficial effects of acute and chronic administration of high melatonin doses, in infectious, developmental, and degenerative pathologies, as an endothelial cell and every cell protectant.

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Antidiabetic Drugs in NAFLD: The Accomplishment of Two Goals at Once?

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph11040121 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 121 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Matteo Tacelli ◽

Ciro Celsa ◽

Bianca Magro ◽

Aurora Giannetti ◽

Grazia Pennisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Pancreatic Beta Cell ◽

Protective Role ◽

Antidiabetic Drugs ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Compensated Cirrhosis ◽

Ppar Γ ◽

Insulin Use

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries, accounting for 20–30% of general population and reaching a prevalence of 55% in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Insulin resistance plays a key role in pathogenic mechanisms of NAFLD. Many drugs have been tested but no medications have yet been approved. Antidiabetic drugs could have a role in the progression reduction of the disease. The aim of this review is to summarize evidence on efficacy and safety of antidiabetic drugs in patients with NAFLD. Metformin, a biguanide, is the most frequently used drug in the treatment of T2DM. To date 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and four meta-analysis on the use of metformin in NAFLD are available. No significant improvement in histological liver fibrosis was shown, but it can be useful in the treatment of co-factors of NAFLD, like body weight, transaminase or cholesterol levels, and HbA1c levels. A possible protective role in various types of cancer has been reported for Metformin. Thiazolidinediones modulate insulin sensitivity by the activation of PPAR-γ. The RCTs and the meta-analysis available about the role of these drugs in NAFLD show an improvement in ballooning, lobular inflammation, and perhaps fibrosis, but some side effects, in particular cardiovascular, were showed. GLP-1 analogues stimulate insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cell and inhibit glucagon release; Liraglutide is the most used drug in this class and significantly improves steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning and transaminase levels. Scanty data about the role of DPP-4 and SGLT inhibitors were published. No data about insulin effects on NAFLD are available but it was showed a possible association between insulin use and the development of solid neoplasms, in particular HCC. In conclusion, antidiabetic drugs seem to be promising drugs, because they are able to treat both NAFLD manifestations and diabetes, preventing worsening of hepatic damage, but data are still conflicting. All antidiabetic drugs can be safely used in patients with compensated cirrhosis, while insulin is the preferred drug in decompensated Child C cirrhosis.

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Multi-Organ Crosstalk with Endocrine Pancreas: A Focus on How Gut Microbiota Shapes Pancreatic Beta-Cells

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom12010104 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Elisa Fernández-Millán ◽

Carlos Guillén

Keyword(s):

Beta Cell ◽

Beta Cells ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Pancreatic Beta Cells ◽

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Cell Function ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Beta Cell Mass ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) results from impaired beta-cell function and insufficient beta-cell mass compensation in the setting of insulin resistance. Current therapeutic strategies focus their efforts on promoting the maintenance of functional beta-cell mass to ensure appropriate glycemic control. Thus, understanding how beta-cells communicate with metabolic and non-metabolic tissues provides a novel area for investigation and implicates the importance of inter-organ communication in the pathology of metabolic diseases such as T2D. In this review, we provide an overview of secreted factors from diverse organs and tissues that have been shown to impact beta-cell biology. Specifically, we discuss experimental and clinical evidence in support for a role of gut to beta-cell crosstalk, paying particular attention to bacteria-derived factors including short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide, and factors contained within extracellular vesicles that influence the function and/or the survival of beta cells under normal or diabetogenic conditions.

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Role of Polyherbal Formulations of Medicinal Plants From Himalayan Regions in the Management of Diabetes

10.4018/978-1-7998-8251-0.ch007 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 212-229

Author(s):

Ashfaq Ahmad Shah ◽

Sumaira Qayoom ◽

Amit Gupta ◽

Aqueel Ur Rehman

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Oxidative Stress ◽

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Polyphenolic Compounds ◽

Health Concern ◽

Glucose Measurement ◽

Diabetes Research ◽

Cardiovascular Disorders

Current research on phytochemicals is mainly focused on novel phenolic and polyphenolic compounds expressing their potential as therapeutic agents in various diseases like cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, oxidative stress-related diseases, as well as their properties to inhibit the growth and proliferation of infectious agents. Among the human physiological disorders, one of the most severe endocrine metabolic diseases is Diabetes mellitus which is a clinical disease distinguished by a deficit in the production of insulin or resistance to the action of insulin. Globally, diabetes is an increasing health concern which is now emerging as an epidemic. About 700-800 plants are exhibiting anti-diabetic activity that has been studied. As far as nanotechnology in diabetes research is concerned, it has made possible the buildout of novel glucose measurement as well as insulin delivery modalities that possess the potential to excellently enhance the quality of life of the diabetic patient.

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The Intricate Role of p53 in Adipocyte Differentiation and Function

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9122621 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 2621

Author(s):

Yun Kyung Lee ◽

Yu Seong Chung ◽

Ji Hye Lee ◽

Jin Mi Chun ◽

Jun Hong Park

Keyword(s):

Adipocyte Differentiation ◽

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Metabolic Stress ◽

Health Concern ◽

Metabolic Dysfunction ◽

Direct Role ◽

Proliferation And Apoptosis ◽

Response To Stress ◽

And Function

For more than three decades, numerous studies have demonstrated the function of p53 in cell cycle, cellular senescence, autophagy, apoptosis, and metabolism. Among diverse functions, the essential role of p53 is to maintain cellular homeostatic response to stress by regulating proliferation and apoptosis. Recently, adipocytes have been studied with increasing intensity owing to the increased prevalence of metabolic diseases posing a serious public health concern and because metabolic dysfunction can directly induce tumorigenesis. The prevalence of metabolic diseases has steadily increased worldwide, and a growing interest in these diseases has led to the focus on the role of p53 in metabolism and adipocyte differentiation with or without metabolic stress. However, our collective understanding of the direct role of p53 in adipocyte differentiation and function remains insufficient. Therefore, this review focuses on the newly discovered roles of p53 in adipocyte differentiation and function.

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Synthesis of a Rationally Designed Multi-Component Photocatalyst Pt:SiO2:TiO2(P25) with Improved Activity for Dye Degradation by Atomic Layer Deposition

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10081496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1496 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dominik Benz ◽

Hao Van Bui ◽

Hubertus T. Hintzen ◽

Michiel T. Kreutzer ◽

J. Ruud van Ommen

Keyword(s):

Atomic Layer Deposition ◽

Dye Degradation ◽

Atomic Layer ◽

Oh Groups ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Layer Deposition ◽

The Individual ◽

Materials Behavior

Photocatalysts for water purification typically lack efficiency for practical applications. Here we present a multi-component (Pt:SiO2:TiO2(P25)) material that was designed using knowledge of reaction mechanisms of mono-modified catalysts (SiO2:TiO2, and Pt:TiO2) combined with the potential of atomic layer deposition (ALD). The deposition of ultrathin SiO2 layers on TiO2 nanoparticles, applying ALD in a fluidized bed reactor, demonstrated in earlier studies their beneficial effects for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants due to more acidic surface Si–OH groups which benefit the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, our investigation on the role of Pt on TiO2(P25), as an improved photocatalyst, demonstrated that suppression of charge recombination by oxygen adsorbed on the Pt particles, reacting with the separated electrons to superoxide radicals, acts as an important factor for the catalytic improvement. Combining both materials into the resulting Pt:SiO2:TiO2(P25) nanopowder exceeded the dye degradation performance of both the individual SiO2:TiO2(P25) (1.5 fold) and Pt:TiO2(P25) (4-fold) catalysts by 6-fold as compared to TiO2(P25). This approach thus shows that by understanding the individual materials’ behavior and using ALD as an appropriate deposition technique enabling control on the nano-scale, new materials can be designed and developed, further improving the photocatalytic activity. Our research demonstrates that ALD is an attractive technology to synthesize multicomponent catalysts in a precise and scalable way.

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Blood triacylglycerols: a lipidomic window on diet and disease

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20150235 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 638-644 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Francis Sanders ◽

Ben McNally ◽

Julian L. Griffin

Keyword(s):

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Clinical Chemistry ◽

Total Concentration ◽

Direct Infusion ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Tissue Extracts ◽

The Individual ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Although the measurement of triacylglycerols (TAGs) by clinical chemistry has been used in the diagnosis of a range of metabolic diseases, such approaches ignore the different species of TAGs that contribute to the total concentration. With the advent of LC and direct infusion forms of MS it is now possible to profile the individual TAGs in blood plasma or tissue extracts. This mini review surveys the information that is obtainable from the lipidomic profiling of TAGs in following metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as the development of insulin resistance and obesity.

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