1.
Systemic and vascular inflammation in an in-vitro model of central obesity.
Ahluwalia, A, Misto, A, Vozzi, F, Magliaro, C, Mattei, G, Marescotti, MC, Avogaro, A, Iori, E
PloS one. 2018;13(2):e0192824
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Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Obese individuals often have excess fat around the middle, known as central adiposity, a condition known to contribute to an increase in blood levels of compounds such as glycerol and triglycerides. This study builds on a series of studies in which it has been demonstrated that circulation of these compounds reduces glucose uptake and increases lactate availability in all cells. The aim of the study was to challenge the system in-vitro with increasing levels of adiposity to determine the impact this had on compounds in the blood and the extent to which this reflects obesity-related vascular and systemic stress observed in humans. The focus of the study was primarily on lipid-related molecules and pro-inflammatory markers. Visceral adipose tissue was obtained from 9 donors undergoing liver resection for metastatic/benign liver lesions without any underlying chronic liver disease or diabetic complications and body mass index ranging from 20-25. The study outlines that an increase of adiposity in-vitro determines a pro-inflammatory state and results in endothelial stress.
Abstract
Metabolic disorders due to over-nutrition are a major global health problem, often associated with obesity and related morbidities. Obesity is peculiar to humans, as it is associated with lifestyle and diet, and so difficult to reproduce in animal models. Here we describe a model of human central adiposity based on a 3-tissue system consisting of a series of interconnected fluidic modules. Given the causal link between obesity and systemic inflammation, we focused primarily on pro-inflammatory markers, examining the similarities and differences between the 3-tissue model and evidence from human studies in the literature. When challenged with high levels of adiposity, the in-vitro system manifests cardiovascular stress through expression of E-selectin and von Willebrand factor as well as systemic inflammation (expressing IL-6 and MCP-1) as observed in humans. Interestingly, most of the responses are dependent on the synergic interaction between adiposity and the presence of multiple tissue types. The set-up has the potential to reduce animal experiments in obesity research and may help unravel specific cellular mechanisms which underlie tissue response to nutritional overload.
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Could gestational diabetes mellitus be managed through dietary bioactive compounds? Current knowledge and future perspectives.
Santangelo, C, Zicari, A, Mandosi, E, Scazzocchio, B, Mari, E, Morano, S, Masella, R
The British journal of nutrition. 2016;115(7):1129-44
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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy. Women with GDM are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) later in life. Moreover, uncontrolled GDM is linked with a detrimental intra-uterine environment, which leads to foetal complications and an increased risk for the child of developing obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of the review is to examine the current knowledge and issues about the impact of dietary polyphenols on the mechanisms and/or factors regulating glucose homeostasis, inflammation and adipose tissue function in metabolic alterations linked with GDM. Moreover, this study also reviews the role of Omega-3 fatty acids in pregnancy. The study is a descriptive review based on several studies. Literature data is mainly derived from in vitro and animal models. In vitro and animal studies show that almost all subclasses of flavonoids, stilbene RSV and some olive oil phenolic compounds, interact and modulate several molecular pathways regulating insulin. Obesity worsens GDM with increased risk of developing metabolic disorders in both mother and offspring later in life. The adoption of healthy lifestyle, with adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, has positive effects on the prevention and management of diabetes.
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious problem growing worldwide that needs to be addressed with urgency in consideration of the resulting severe complications for both mother and fetus. Growing evidence indicates that a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, extra-virgin olive oil and fish has beneficial effects in both the prevention and management of several human diseases and metabolic disorders. In this review, we discuss the latest data concerning the effects of dietary bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and PUFA on the molecular mechanisms regulating glucose homoeostasis. Several studies, mostly based on in vitro and animal models, indicate that dietary polyphenols, mainly flavonoids, positively modulate the insulin signalling pathway by attenuating hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, reducing inflammatory adipokines, and modifying microRNA (miRNA) profiles. Very few data about the influence of dietary exposure on GDM outcomes are available, although this approach deserves careful consideration. Further investigation, which includes exploring the 'omics' world, is needed to better understand the complex interaction between dietary compounds and GDM.
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The acute impact of ingestion of sourdough and whole-grain breads on blood glucose, insulin, and incretins in overweight and obese men.
Mofidi, A, Ferraro, ZM, Stewart, KA, Tulk, HM, Robinson, LE, Duncan, AM, Graham, TE
Journal of nutrition and metabolism. 2012;2012:184710
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Understanding the role of carbohydrates on glucose levels after a meal is vital for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this randomised, crossover study was to determine the short-term effects of bread consumption on glucose levels, insulin and incretin response in 12 males at an increased risk of T2D. Participants were randomised to consume either 11-grain, sprouted-grain, sourdough, 12-grain or white bread, and blood samples were taken at fasting, after the bread was consumed and at eight additional time points between 15-180 minutes. This study demonstrated that sprouted grain bread reduced the glucose response compared with the other breads, and that whole-grain breads did not improve metabolic responses in the short-term fed state. Based on these results, the authors conclude that glucose metabolism is complex and multifactorial, and suggest further studies be undertaken.
Abstract
Consumption of whole-grain and sourdough breads is associated with improved glucose homeostasis. We examined the impact of commercial breads on biomarkers of glucose homeostasis in subjects at risk for glucose intolerance. In a randomized, crossover study, overweight or obese males ingested 11-grain, sprouted-grain, 12-grain, sourdough, or white bread on different occasions, matched for available carbohydrate (50 g) in part 1 (n = 12) and bread mass (107 g) in part 2 (n = 11), and blood glucose, insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were determined for 3 h. In part 1, glucose response for sprouted-grain was lower than 11-grain, sourdough, and white breads. Insulin area under the curve (AUC) for sourdough and white was lower than 11-grain and sprouted-grain breads. GLP-1 response to sourdough was lower than all breads. In part 2, glucose and insulin AUC for sourdough was greater than 11-grain, sprouted-grain, and 12-grain breads. Sprouted-grain bread improved glycemia by lowering glucose response and increasing GLP-1 response. In overweight and obese men, the glycemic response to sprouted grain bread was reduced in both parts 1 and 2 while the other whole-grain test breads did not improve metabolic responses in the acute postprandial state.