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Microorganisms Apr 2021Lactobacilli-derived biosurfactants (BS) have shown promising effects as antimicrobial molecules. Since plays a crucial role in maintaining vaginal eubiosis, BS from...
Lactobacilli-derived biosurfactants (BS) have shown promising effects as antimicrobial molecules. Since plays a crucial role in maintaining vaginal eubiosis, BS from this species could represent novel therapeutic agents to counteract sexually transmitted pathogens, such as (CT). The aim of the present study was to assess the inhibitory effects of a BS produced by the vaginal strain BC1 on the infectivity of CT elementary bodies (EBs). For concentrations ranging between 1 and 0.5 mg/mL at 60-min contact time, BC1 BS displayed a highly significant anti-CT activity, with about 50% reduction of EB infectivity towards HeLa cells. To identify the components responsible for chlamydial inhibition, a panel of selected fatty acids, including those present in BS lipopeptidic structure, was tested against CT EBs. Pentadecanoic acid, myristic acid, β-hydroxy-myristic acid, and β-hydroxy-palmitic acid were able to significantly reduce EBs infectivity up to 5-0.5 µg/mL, concentrations that resulted to be non-toxic for HeLa cells. These data can contribute to the understanding of the biological role of lactobacilli in the vaginal niche, as well as to promote the application of their produced BS as an innovative and antibiotic-sparing anti-chlamydial strategy.
PubMed: 33946391
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050975 -
Genes & Nutrition Apr 2021Fermented foods are ubiquitous in human diets and often lauded for their sensory, nutritious, and health-promoting qualities. However, precise associations between the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Fermented foods are ubiquitous in human diets and often lauded for their sensory, nutritious, and health-promoting qualities. However, precise associations between the intake of fermented foods and health have not been well-established. This is in part due to the limitations of current dietary assessment tools that rely on subjective reporting, making them prone to memory-related errors and reporting bias. The identification of food intake biomarkers (FIBs) bypasses this challenge by providing an objective measure of intake. Despite numerous studies reporting on FIBs for various types of fermented foods and drinks, unique biomarkers associated with the fermentation process ("fermentation-dependent" biomarkers) have not been well documented. We therefore conducted a comprehensive, systematic review of the literature to identify biomarkers of fermented foods commonly consumed in diets across the world.
RESULTS
After title, abstract, and full-text screening, extraction of data from 301 articles resulted in an extensive list of compounds that were detected in human biofluids following the consumption of various fermented foods, with the majority of articles focusing on coffee (69), wine (69 articles), cocoa (62), beer (34), and bread (29). The identified compounds from all included papers were consolidated and sorted into FIBs proposed for a specific food, for a food group, or for the fermentation process. Alongside food-specific markers (e.g., trigonelline for coffee), and food-group markers (e.g., pentadecanoic acid for dairy intake), several fermentation-dependent markers were revealed. These comprised compounds related to the fermentation process of a particular food, such as mannitol (wine), 2-ethylmalate (beer), methionine (sourdough bread, cheese), theabrownins (tea), and gallic acid (tea, wine), while others were indicative of more general fermentation processes (e.g., ethanol from alcoholic fermentation, 3-phenyllactic acid from lactic fermentation).
CONCLUSIONS
Fermented foods comprise a heterogeneous group of foods. While many of the candidate FIBs identified were found to be non-specific, greater specificity may be observed when considering a combination of compounds identified for individual fermented foods, food groups, and from fermentation processes. Future studies that focus on how fermentation impacts the composition and nutritional quality of food substrates could help to identify novel biomarkers of fermented food intake.
PubMed: 33882831
DOI: 10.1186/s12263-021-00686-4 -
Nutrients Mar 2021Most nutrition studies looking at the association of food with cardiometabolic markers rely on food frequency questionnaires, which are prone to recall bias....
Most nutrition studies looking at the association of food with cardiometabolic markers rely on food frequency questionnaires, which are prone to recall bias. Pentadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid and trans-palmitoleic acid are fatty acids that are not synthesized endogenously but are obtained from the diet, particularly dairy, making them reasonable biomarkers of dairy consumption. We investigated the association of dairy fatty acid biomarkers with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes (T2D). In a clinical trial, 111 participants with T2D (age 58.5 ± 8.9 years, HbA1c 8.09 ± 0.96%) were randomized into three groups: a control group that maintained baseline dairy intake, a low-fat (LF) group that incorporated ≥3 servings/day of LF dairy and a high-fat (HF) group that incorporated ≥3 servings/day of HF dairy. We compared the fatty acids (FA) composition between the three groups at 24 weeks. Pentadecanoic acid and trans-palmitoleic acid increased in the HF group by 14.1% ± 5.4% and 17.5% ± 5.1%, respectively, but not in the control and LF groups ( = 0.0474 and = 0.0025 for group-by-time interaction, respectively). Those increases were positively associated with changes in total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol VLDL-C and triglycerides but were not associated with changes in HbA1c from baseline to 24 weeks. These results suggest that the intervention was successful and that participants were likely compliant, which supports the validity of the main trial.
Topics: Aged; Biomarkers; Body Weight; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dairy Products; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Female; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33807135
DOI: 10.3390/nu13041145 -
Bioresources and Bioprocessing Apr 2021An active site is normally located inside enzymes, hence substrates should go through a tunnel to access the active site. Tunnel engineering is a powerful strategy for...
An active site is normally located inside enzymes, hence substrates should go through a tunnel to access the active site. Tunnel engineering is a powerful strategy for refining the catalytic properties of enzymes. Here, P450HI (Q85H/V170I) derived from hydroxylase P450 from Bacillus subtilis was chosen as the study model, which is reported as a potential decarboxylase. However, this enzyme showed low decarboxylase activity towards long-chain fatty acids. Here, a tunnel engineering campaign was performed for modulating the substrate preference and improving the decarboxylation activity of P450HI. The finally obtained BsβHI-F79A variant had a 15.2-fold improved conversion for palmitic acid; BsβHI-F173V variant had a 3.9-fold improved conversion for pentadecanoic acid. The study demonstrates how the substrate preference can be modulated by tunnel engineering strategy.
PubMed: 38650198
DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00379-1 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2021The digital cushion is an essential part of maintaining a healthy foot, working to dissipate foot strike and body weight forces and lameness from claw horn disruption...
The digital cushion is an essential part of maintaining a healthy foot, working to dissipate foot strike and body weight forces and lameness from claw horn disruption lesions. Despite the importance of the digital cushion, little is known about the basic anatomy, adipocyte morphology, and fatty acid composition in relation to age, limb position, and body condition score. In total, 60 claws (from 17 cows) were selected and collected from a herd, ensuring that body condition score data and computed micro-tomography were known for each animal. Digital cushion tissue underwent histological staining combined with stereology, systematic random sampling, and cell morphology analysis, in addition to lipid extraction followed by fatty acid analysis. The results describe digital cushion architecture and adipocyte sizes. Adipocyte size was similar across all 4 claws (distal left lateral and medial and distal right lateral and medial) and across the ages (aged 2-7 yr); however, animals with body condition score of 3.00 or more at slaughter had a significantly increased cell size in comparison to those with a score of less than 2.50. Of 37 fatty acid methyl esters identified, 5 differed between either the body condition score or different age groups. C10:0 capric acid, C14:0 myristic acid, C15:0 pentadecanoic acid, and C20:0 arachidic acid percentages were all lesser in lower body condition score cows, whereas C22:1n-9 erucic acid measurements were lesser in younger cows. Saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid percentages were not altered in the different claws, ages, or body condition score groups. Triglyceride quantities did not differ for claw position or age but had decreased quantities in lower body condition score animals. Digital cushion anatomy, cellular morphology, and fatty acid composition have been described in general and also in animals with differing ages, body condition scores, and in the differing claws. Understanding fat deposition, mobilization, and composition are essential in not only understanding the roles that the digital cushion plays but also in preventing disorders and maintaining cattle health and welfare.
Topics: Adipocytes; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Fatty Acids; Female; Foot Diseases; Lameness, Animal
PubMed: 33685700
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19388 -
GeroScience Aug 2021To evaluate whether a peculiar plasma profile of fatty acids and endocannabinoidome (eCBome)-related mediators may be associated to longevity, we assessed them in...
To evaluate whether a peculiar plasma profile of fatty acids and endocannabinoidome (eCBome)-related mediators may be associated to longevity, we assessed them in octogenarians (Old; n=42) living in the east-central mountain area of Sardinia, a High-Longevity Zone (HLZ), compared to sexagenarian (Young; n=21) subjects from the same area, and to Olds (n=22) from the Northern Sardinia indicated as Lower-Longevity Zone (LLZ). We found significant increases in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and heptadecanoic acid (17:0) levels in Old-HLZ with respect to younger subjects and Old-LLZ subjects. Young-HLZ subjects exhibited higher circulating levels of pentadecanoic acid (15:0) and retinol. Palmitoleic acid (POA) was elevated in both Young and Old subjects from the HLZ. eCBome profile showed a significantly increased plasma level of the two endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) in Old-HLZ subjects compared to Young-HLZ and Old-LLZ respectively. In addition, we found increased N-oleoyl-ethanolamine (OEA), 2-linoleoyl-glycerol (2-LG) and 2-oleoyl-glycerol (2-OG) levels in Old-HLZ group with respect to Young-HLZ (as for OEA an d 2-LG) and both the Old-LLZ and Young-HLZ for 2-OG. The endogenous metabolite of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), N-docosahexaenoyl-ethanolamine (DHEA) was significantly increased in Old-HLZ subjects. In conclusion, our results suggest that in the HLZ area, Young and Old subjects exhibited a favourable, albeit distinctive, fatty acids and eCBome profile that may be indicative of a metabolic pattern potentially protective from adverse chronic conditions. These factors could point to a suitable physiological metabolic pattern that may counteract the adverse stimuli leading to age-related disorders such as neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.
Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Ethanolamine; Ethanolamines; Fatty Acids; Humans; Italy; Longevity; Oleic Acids
PubMed: 33650014
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00342-0 -
Journal of Atherosclerosis and... Apr 2022A 56-year-old postmenopausal woman with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by acute myocardial infraction was successfully resuscitated by intensive treatments and...
A Resuscitated Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction with both Familial Hypercholesterolemia Phenotype Caused by Possibly Oligogenic Variants of the PCSK9 and ABCG5 Genes and Type I CD36 Deficiency.
A 56-year-old postmenopausal woman with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by acute myocardial infraction was successfully resuscitated by intensive treatments and recovered without any neurological disability. She was diagnosed as having familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) based on a markedly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and family history of premature coronary artery disease. Genetic testing in her family members showed that a variant of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene (c.2004C>A, p.S668R), which had been previously reported as having uncertain significance, was associated with FH, indicating that the variant is a potential candidate for the FH phenotype. Next-generation sequencing analysis for the proband also showed that there was a heterozygous mutation of the ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 5 ( ABCG5) gene (c.1166G>A, R389H), which has been reported to increase LDL-C level and the risk of cardiovascular disease. She was also diagnosed as having type 1 CD36 deficiency based on a lack of myocardial uptake of I-labeled 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methyl-pentadecanoic acid in scintigraphy and the absence of CD36 antigen in both monocytes and platelets in flow cytometry. She had a homozygous mutation of the CD36 gene (c.1126-5_1127delTTTAGAT), which occurs in a canonical splice site (acceptor) and is predicted to disrupt or distort the normal gene product. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a heterozygous FH phenotype caused by possibly oligogenic variants of the PCSK9 and ABCG5 genes complicated with type I CD36 deficiency caused by a novel homozygous mutation. Both FH phenotype and CD36 deficiency might have caused extensive atherosclerosis, leading to acute myocardial infarction in the present case.
Topics: ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 5; Blood Platelet Disorders; Female; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Humans; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II; Lipoproteins; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction; Phenotype; Proprotein Convertase 9; Receptors, LDL
PubMed: 33642439
DOI: 10.5551/jat.58909 -
PloS One 2021Mass trapping of gravid females represents one promising strategy for the development of sustainable tools against Aedes aegypti. However, this technique requires the...
Mass trapping of gravid females represents one promising strategy for the development of sustainable tools against Aedes aegypti. However, this technique requires the development of effective odorant lures that can compete with natural breeding sites. The presence of conspecific larvae has been shown to stimulate oviposition. Hence, we evaluated the role of four major molecules previously identified from Ae. aegypti larvae (isovaleric, myristoleic, myristic [i.e. tetradecanoic], and pentadecanoic acids) on the oviposition of conspecific females, as well as their olfactory perception to evaluate their range of detection. Using flight cage assays, the preference of gravid females to oviposit in water that previously contained larvae (LHW) or containing the four larval compounds was evaluated. Then, compounds and doses inducing the highest stimulation were challenged for their efficacy against LHW. Only isovaleric acid elicited antennal response, suggesting that the other compounds may act as taste cues. Pentadecanoic acid induced significant oviposition stimulation, especially when dosed at 10 ppm. Myristoleic acid and isovaleric acid deterred oviposition at 10 and 100 ppm, while no effect on oviposition was observed with myristic acid irrespectively of the dose tested. When the four compounds were pooled to mimic larvae's chemical signature, they favored oviposition at 1 ppm but negatively affected egg-laying at higher concentrations. When properly dosed, pentadecanoic acid and the blend of compounds may be promising lures for ovitraps as they could compete with LHW. Due to their low volatility, their effect should be further evaluated under field conditions, in addition with long-range attractants for developing effective tools against gravid females.
Topics: Aedes; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cues; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Female; Hemiterpenes; Myristic Acid; Odorants; Olfactory Perception; Oviposition; Pentanoic Acids
PubMed: 33626104
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247657 -
Food & Nutrition Research 2021Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) generally have been thought to worsen insulin-resistance and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently,...
BACKGROUND
Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) generally have been thought to worsen insulin-resistance and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, accumulating evidence has revealed that SFAs are not a single homogeneous group, instead different SFAs are associated with T2DM in opposing directions. Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0, PA) is directly correlated with dairy products, and a negative association between circulating PA and metabolic disease risk was observed in epidemiological studies. Therefore, the role of PA in human health needs to be reinforced. Whether PA has a direct benefit on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity needs further investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of action of PA on basal and insulin stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes.
METHODS
Glucose uptake was determined using a 2-(N-[7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl] amino)-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) uptake assay. Cell membrane proteins were isolated and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein was detected by western blotting to examine the translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. The phosphorylation levels of proteins involved in the insulin and 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways were examined by western blotting.
RESULTS
We found that PA significantly promoted glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. PA had no effect on the insulin-dependent pathway involving insulin receptor substrate 1 (Tyr632) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), but increased phosphorylation of AMPK and Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160). Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) blocked PA-induced AMPK activation and reversed PA-induced GLUT4 translocation, indicating that PA promotes glucose uptake via the AMPK pathway . Moreover, PA significantly promoted insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in myotubes. Under insulin stimulation, PA did not affect the insulin-dependent pathway, but still activated AMPK.
CONCLUSION
PA, an odd-chain SFA, significantly stimulates glucose uptake via the AMPK-AS160 pathway and exhibits an insulin-sensitizing effect in myotubes.
PubMed: 33613155
DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v65.4527 -
Cardiovascular Diabetology Feb 2021While the cardioprotective benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been established in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), their... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective randomized study comparing effects of empagliflozin to sitagliptin on cardiac fat accumulation, cardiac function, and cardiac metabolism in patients with early-stage type 2 diabetes: the ASSET study.
BACKGROUND
While the cardioprotective benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been established in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), their advantages over other anti-diabetic drugs at earlier stages remain unclear. We compared the cardioprotective effects of empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, with those of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, focusing on cardiac fat accumulation, cardiac function, and cardiac metabolism in patients with early-stage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without CVD complications.
METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, parallel-group trial that enrolled 44 Japanese patients with T2DM. The patients were randomized for 12-week administration of empagliflozin or sitagliptin. Pericardial fat accumulation and myocardial triglyceride content were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Echocardiography, I-β-methyl-iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid myocardial scintigraphy, and laboratory tests were performed at baseline and after the 12-week treatment period.
RESULTS
The patients were middle-aged (50.3 ± 10.7 years, mean ± standard deviation) and overweight (body mass index 29.3 ± 4.9 kg/m). They had a short diabetes duration (3.5 ± 3.2 years), HbA1c levels of 7.1 ± 0.8%, and preserved cardiac function (ejection fraction 73.8 ± 5.0%) with no vascular complications, except for one baseline case each of diabetic nephropathy and peripheral arterial disease. After the 12-week treatment, no differences from baseline were observed between the two groups regarding changes in pericardial, epicardial, and paracardial fat content; myocardial triglyceride content; cardiac function and mass; and cardiac fatty acid metabolism. However, considering cardiometabolic biomarkers, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and ketone bodies, including β-hydroxybutyric acid, were significantly increased, whereas uric acid, plasma glucose, plasma insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were significantly lower in the empagliflozin group than in the sitagliptin group (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Although the effects on cardiac fat and function were not statistically different between the two groups, empagliflozin exhibited superior effects on cardiometabolic biomarkers, such as uric acid, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ketone bodies, and insulin sensitivity. Therefore, when considering the primary preventive strategies for CVD, early supplementation with SGLT2 inhibitors may be more beneficial than DPP-4 inhibitors, even in patients with early-stage T2DM without current CVD complications.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
UMIN000026340; registered on February 28, 2017. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000030257.
Topics: Adiposity; Adult; Benzhydryl Compounds; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Energy Metabolism; Female; Glucosides; Glycated Hemoglobin; Heart; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardium; Primary Prevention; Prospective Studies; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; Time Factors; Tokyo; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33530982
DOI: 10.1186/s12933-021-01228-3