Hydropinotherapy with Sulphurous Mineral Water as Complementary Treatment to Improve Glucose Metabolism, Oxidative Status, and Quality of Life

Hydropinotherapy is a salus per aquam (Spa) treatment suitable as a complementary approach to treat several diseases, which strongly affect the quality of life (QoL). Hydropinotherapy with sulphurous mineral water exerts benefits thanks to components, such as hydrogen sulphide, which is considered mainly responsible for antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects. Such properties, linked from each other, could favour an improvement in patients’ QoL. However, data on humans are scarce. This study aimed to investigate whether a cycle of sulphurous hydropinotherapy was able to modify plasma levels of glucose and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and improve QoL in patients suffering from several chronic disorders. A prospective, observational study involved patients with gastrointestinal diseases who received a prescription of a cycle of sulphurous hydropinotherapy (S-HT). Age- and sex-matched control group was enrolled (No S-HT). Glycaemia and plasma concentration of ROMs were measured in all subjects. The impact of spa treatment on the QoL was assessed using the Short Form 36 Health Status Survey questionnaire (SF-36). All parameters were measured at baseline and at the end of a 2-week treatment. Between the groups, no differences were found in glycaemia and ROMs at baseline. In the S-HT group, a reduction in glycaemia and ROMs, both in respect to baseline (p = 0.005 and p = 0.031, respectively) and to control group, as shown by the delta value calculated, as the difference between the values at 2 weeks and baseline (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.0001, respectively). In the S-HT, delta ROMs was the best predictor of delta glycaemia with a direct linear correlation (beta = 0.559, 95% CI 0.471 to 0.647, p < 0.0001). In the S-HT, the SF-36 total score was improved both when compared with baseline (p = 0.002) and with No S-HT (p = 0.001). Sulphurous hydropinotherapy induces a decrease in glycaemia and ROM levels, also ameliorating the patients’ QoL. Therefore, it could be considered a useful complementary therapeutic approach.

Maternal and Neonatal Evaluation of Derived Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Biological Antioxidant Potential in Donkey Mares and Foals

Our aim was to measure the concentrations of derived reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) of donkey mares and foals at delivery and to verify the protective role of the placenta against fetal oxidative stress. A total of 15 Amiata jennies with a physiological gestation length and delivery were included together with 17 foals (two twin foalings). After delivery, maternal and foal venous blood samples were collected along with blood from the artery. Circulating lactate and plasma d-ROMs and BAP were evaluated. The Wilcoxon test for paired data was applied to verify differences in d-ROMs and BAP values, while the Spearman test was used to evaluate correlations. A significantly higher d-ROMs concentration was found in jennies compared to their foals, and to the umbilical artery blood. The BAP was higher in jennies than in their foals, but no differences were observed in the umbilical artery blood. No difference was found between foals and their umbilical cord. Blood lactate was higher in foals than in their dams. Positive correlations were found between mares and umbilical cord for BAP and d-ROMs, and between mares and foals and umbilical cord for BAP. In conclusion, the placenta may be a protective factor for the fetus. As with equine foals, the antioxidant system of donkey foals does not seems to be effective at birth.

Vegan vs. omnivore diets paradox: A whole-metagenomic approach for defining metabolic networks during the race in ultra-marathoners- a before and after study design

Background The effect of vegan diets on metabolic processes in the body is still controversial in ultra endurance athletes. The study aims to determine gut microbiome adaptation to extreme exercise according to vegan or omnivore diet consumed in ultra-marathoners. We also seek to evaluate long-term vegan diets’ effects on redox homeostasis, and muscle fatigue, and assess energy availability. Methods Seventy participants will be assigned to the study, including 35 vegan ultra-marathoners and 35 omnivores competing in the Sri-Chinmoy ultra marathon race. Research data will be collected from the participants at four steps (three visits to the research laboratory and the race day) throughout the study. At the first visit (seven days before the race), fecal samples, and anthropometric measurements will be collected. Body composition will be measured using DXA. Participants will be informed about keeping detailed food records and will be asked to record their diet data and activity logs during the entire study period. At second visit, maximum oxygen consumption will be measured on treadmill. On race day, blood samples will be collected immediately before, and 0. min, 2 hours, and 24 hours after the race. Body weight will be measured before and after the race. The blood and fecal samples will be stored at -80 C until analysis. Plasma malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen metabolites, total antioxidant capacity, Heatshockprotein-70, and serum Orosomucoid-1 will be analyzed in blood samples. Fecal samples will be analyzed with shotgun metagenomic analysis and interpreted using bioinformatics pipeline (HumanN2). Statistical tests will be analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 and R Software. Discussion Study findings will determine the effects of the vegan diet on sports performance, revealing the multiple interactions between host and gut microbiome at the whole metagenomic level. Additionally, results will show the possible adaptation throughout the race by analyzing blood and fecal samples. Furthermore, by assessing energy availability and determining host-metabolite crosstalk for ultra-endurance athletes, possible nutritional deficiencies can be identified. Thus, advanced nutritional strategies can be developed based on metabolic needs. Trial registration Current controlled trials, ISRCTN registry 69541705. Registered on 8 December 2019.

Experimental evidence that social instability influences rank-specific patterns in oxidative stress in a cichlid fish

In many animal societies, dominant individuals have priority access to resources. However, defending high rank can be costly, especially in unstable social hierarchies where there is more intense competition. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a potential cost of social dominance, but few studies have examined this cost in relation to social stability. We studied the cost of social dominance in the cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni by manipulating social stability among males in replicate naturalistic communities for 22 weeks. We found that our social stability treatment influenced status-specific patterns in 3 out of 6 measurements of oxidative stress. Specifically, dominant males experienced increased plasma oxidative damage (measured as reactive oxygen metabolites, ROM) compared to subordinate males in stable hierarchies only. Subordinate males in unstable hierarchies had higher ROM than their stable community counterparts, but we found no effect of social stability treatment for dominant males. However, dominant males tended to have lower liver total antioxidant capacity (TAC) than subordinate males in unstable hierarchies, suggesting that the cost of social dominance is higher in unstable hierarchies. There was no other effect of status in tissue (liver, gonad, muscle) or various redox markers including TAC and oxidative DNA damage. We conclude that the stability of the social environment influences the relative cost of social dominance in a tissue and marker specific manner.

Comparison of metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory status of Simmental × Holstein crossbred with parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods

The aim of the research reported in this paper was to evaluate plasma concentrations of energy, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers of Simmental (sire) × Holstein (dam) crossbred cows, in comparison with the two parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods and to estimate the effects of heterosis for these traits. Thirty-three animals, managed under the same conditions, 8 Simmental (SI), 9 Holstein (HO) and 16 crossbred (CR) cows were enrolled in this study. Glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein, albumin, creatinine and urea were determined in blood sampled at six different time points (30 ± 3 and 15 ± 3 d before the expected calving date, at calving and 15, 30 and 60 d after calving). Furthermore, derived reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) were determined to evaluate inflammatory and oxidative status. Results showed that the CR group had significantly lower average values of glucose and NEFA when compared to HO group; signifcantly lower values of urea than SI group and significantly higher values of creatinine than HO. Furthermore, CR cows showed the lowest average value of d-ROMs with respect to SI and HO parental breeds. Finally, the average value of haptoglobin was significantly lower in CR and HO groups, when compared to SI group. As for the heterosis we found the highest (positive) percentage for CK (98%) and BAP (47%) and the lowest (negative) percentage for OSi (−75%) and d-ROMs (−39%). A negative percentage was also found for the glucose (−11%) and NEFA (−20%) toward the Simmental parental breed. Our results suggest a different response among the three genetic groups during the peripartal and early lactation periods. In particular, CR and SI cows seem more adaptable regarding energy metabolism and oxidative status. Heterosis led to a positive effect on those parameters in Simmental (sire) × Holstein (dam) crossbred cows F1 population (50% Simmental and 50% Holstein).

Energy expenditure across immune challenge severities in a lizard: consequences for innate immunity, locomotor performance, and oxidative status

Reptiles, like other vertebrates, rely on immunity to defend themselves from infection. The energetic cost of an immune response is liable to scale with infection severity, prompting constraints on other self-maintenance traits if immune prioritization exceeds energy budget. In this study, adult male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) were injected with high (20 µg/g body mass), low (10 µg/g body mass), or control (0 µg/g body mass) concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate bacterial infections of discrete severities. The costs and consequences of the immune response were assessed through comparisons of change in resting metabolic rates (RMR), energy metabolites (glucose, glycerol, triglycerides), innate immunity (bactericidal ability), sprint speed changes, and oxidative status (antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen metabolites). High-LPS lizards had the lowest glucose levels and greatest sprint reductions, while their RMR and bactericidal ability were similar to control lizards. Low-LPS lizards had elevated RMR and bactericidal ability, but glucose levels and sprint speed changes between that of high-LPS and control lizards. Levels of glycerol, triglycerides, reactive oxygen metabolites, and antioxidant capacity did not differ by treatment. Taken together, energy expenditure for the immune response differentially varies with challenge severity, posing consequences for self-maintenance processes in a reptile.

Effects of a Maternal Essential Fatty Acid and Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation during Late Pregnancy and Early Lactation on Hematologic and Immunological Traits and the Oxidative and Anti-Oxidative Status in Blood Plasma of Neonatal Calves

Fatty acids are known for their regulatory role in inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study investigated 38 calves born from dams, abomasally supplemented with coconut oil, essential fatty acids (EFA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or EFA + CLA, according to immunological traits and the oxidative and anti-oxidative status for the first 5 days of life. On day 2 of life, plasma total bilirubin, cholesterol, interleukin 1-β and ferric ion reducing anti-oxygen power (FRAP) were lower in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation, and FRAP additionally on day 4. On day 3, the concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolites were higher in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation and additionally on day 5 together of retinol. Total leucocyte counts were decreased in the EFA group compared to the CLA group on day 5. Lymphocyte proportions decreased from day 1 to 5 only in the EFA + CLA group. On day 2, plasma total protein was higher in CLA and EFA + CLA than in EFA calves. Similarly, CLA calves had higher interleukin 1-β concentrations compared to EFA + CLA calves. FRAP was decreased by CLA on day 4. Overall, the maternal fatty acid supply affected the inflammatory response and the oxidative and anti-oxidative status of the neonatal offspring.

Effects of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment on Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Background: Periodontal infection may contribute to poor glycemic control and systemic inflammation in diabetic patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal treatment in diabetic patients by measuring oxidative stress outcomes. Methods: Sixty diabetic patients with periodontitis were enrolled, treated with scaling and full-mouth disinfection, and randomly prescribed chlorhexidine mouthwash, antioxidant mouthwash, or ozone therapy. Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), periodontal parameters, and glycated hemoglobin were measured at baseline and then at 1, 3, and 6 months after. Results: At baseline, all patients presented with pathologic levels of plasmatic ROM (388 ± 21.36 U CARR), higher than the normal population. Probing depth, plaque index, and bleeding on probing values showed significant clinical improvements after treatment, accompanied by significant reductions of plasma ROM levels (p < 0.05). At the 6-month evaluation, the mean ROM relapsed to 332 ± 31.76 U CARR. Glycated hemoglobin decreased significantly (∆ = −0.52 units) after treatment. Both the test groups showed longer-lasting improvements of periodontal parameters. Conclusion: In diabetic patients, periodontal treatment was effective at reducing plasma ROM, which is an indicator of systemic oxidative stress and inflammation. The treatment of periodontal infection might facilitate glycemic control and decrease systemic inflammation.

Clinical Significance of Serum Levels of ROM (Reactive Oxygen Metabolites) in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Biologic Agents as a Predictor for the CDAI-, SDAI-, and Boolean-Remission

We previously showed that reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) serum levels were associated with the DAS28 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether ROM would be predictive of the CDAI-, SDAI- or Boolean-remission. Fifty-one biologic agents (BA)-naïve RA patients were included in this observational study. Associations between ROM, C-reactive protein (CRP), MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-3, DAS28-ESR, CDAI, SDAI, and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) at 12 weeks and the DAS28-, CDAI-, SDAI-, and Boolean-remission at 52 weeks were investigated. The DAS28-, CDAI-, SDAI- and Boolean-remission rates at 52 weeks were 66.7, 52.9, 54.9 and 54.9%, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ROM and HAQ at 12 weeks were associated with the CDAI-, SDAI- and Boolean-remission at 52 weeks. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses demonstrated that the cut-off value for CDAI remission was 389.5 U.Carr, and that for SDAI and Boolean remission was 389.5 U.Carr. ROM at 12 weeks of initial treatment with BAs was a predictor for the CDAI-, SDAI-, and Boolean-remission at 52 weeks. Serum levels of ROM may be a useful biomarker in the current treatment strategy aiming at the early remission of RA.