Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate compositional differences in the gut microbiota associated with bone homeostasis and fractures in a cohort of older adults. METHODS Faecal microbiota profiles were determined from 181 individuals with osteopenia (n = 61) or osteoporosis (n = 60), and an age- and gender-matched group with normal BMD (n = 60). Analysis of the 16S (V3-V4 region) amplicon dataset classified to the genus level was used to identify significantly differentially abundant taxa. Adjustments were made for potential confounding variables identified from the literature using several statistical models. RESULTS We identified six genera that were significantly altered in abundance in the osteoporosis or osteopenic groups compared with age- and gender-matched controls. A detailed study of microbiota associations with meta-data variables that included BMI, health status, diet and medication revealed that these meta-data explained 15-17% of the variance within the microbiota dataset. BMD measurements were significantly associated with alterations in the microbiota. After controlling for known biological confounders, five of the six taxa remained significant. Overall microbiota alpha diversity did not correlate to BMD in this study. CONCLUSION Reduced BMD in osteopenia and osteoporosis is associated with an altered microbiota. These alterations may be useful as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in individuals at high risk of reductions in BMD. These observations will lead to a better understanding of the relationship between the microbiota and bone homeostasis.

Abstract

Alterations of the immune system are known in eating disorders (EDs), however the importance of cytokine balance in this context has not been clarified. We compared cytokines and growth factors at opposite ends of BMI ranges, in 90 patients classified in relation to BMI, depressive and EDs comorbidities. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were determined by a biochip analyzer (Randox Labs). Differences were calculated through ANOVA. Possible predictors of higher cytokine levels were evaluated through regression analysis. IL-1α, IL-10, EGF, and IFN-γ were altered individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and binge eating disorder (BED). Night-eating was associated with IL-8 and EGF levels, IL-10 concentrations with post-dinner eating and negatively with sweet-eating, long fasting with higher IFN-γ levels. IL-2 increase was not linked to EDs, but to the interaction of depression and BMI. Altogether, for the first time, IL-1α, IL-10, EGF, and IFN-γ were shown to differ between AN and HCs, and between AN and individuals with obesity with or without BED. Only IL-2 was influenced by depression. Dysfunctional eating behaviors predicted abnormal concentrations of IL-10, EGF, IL-8 and IFN-γ.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Adipose tissue-derived adipokines are pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in metabolic-related diseases and can be influenced by diet and exercise. We aimed to compare the effect of a Mediterranean (MdM) compared with Fast Food (FFM) meal on the exercise induced adipokines changes. METHODS In a double blinded cross over trial, 46 participants were randomly assigned to one of two standardized iso-energy pre-exercise meals: FFM or MdM-type. Three hours after each meal, participants completed a treadmill exercise test (EC). Serum adiponectin, resistin, PAI-1, lipocalin-2/NGAL and adipsin were determined by Luminex magnetic bead immunoassay. Wilcoxon signed rank test compared changes before/after meal and before/after EC and a linear mixed model evaluated the effect of meals on the adipokine response to exercise, adjusted for confounders. RESULTS Thirty-nine participants (mean age of 25, with a standard deviation of 5 years) completed the trial (56% females). For both interventions, a significant reduction of adipsin after each meal and a significant increase of lipocalin, PAI-1, adipsin and resistin, after exercise was observed. When exercise was preceded by a MdM meal a higher increase in adipsin levels was seen. CONCLUSION Acute exercise induced an increase of circulatory levels of adipsin, resistin, lipocalin and PAI-1, but not adiponectin. A pre-exercise Mediterranean meal potentiated the increase of adipsin after the exercise test, which possibly relates to the immune regulatory role of adipsin. These changes suggest a cross-talk between the immune and metabolic immediate response to exercise and its modulation by the pre-exercise diet composition.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to analyze the response of selected components of the immune system in rowers to maximal physical exercise, and to verify if this response could be modulated by supplementation with L-theanine. METHOD The double-blind study included 20 members of the Polish Rowing Team. The subjects were randomly assigned to the supplemented group (n = 10), receiving 150 mg of L-theanine extract for 6 weeks, or to the placebo group (n = 10). The participants performed a 2000-m test on a rowing ergometer at the beginning (1st examination) and at the end of the supplementation period (2nd examination). Blood samples were obtained from the antecubital vein before each exercise test, 1 min after completing the test, and after a 24-h recovery. Subpopulations of T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) (CD4+/CD25+/CD127-), cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) (CD8+/TCRαβ+), natural killer (NK) cells (CD3-/CD16+/CD56+) and TCRδγ-positive (Tδγ) cells were determined by means of flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interferon gamma (INF-ɤ) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined with commercially available diagnostic kits. RESULTS Supplementation with L-theanine contributed to a significant post-exercise decrease in IL-10 concentration, which was reflected by higher values of IL-2 to IL-10 and IFN-γ to IL-10 ratios. Moreover, a significant post-recovery decrease in CTL count, Treg to NK and Treg to CTL ratios was observed in the supplemented group. CONCLUSION Despite the decrease in the number of some cytotoxic cells (CTLs) and an increase in the proportion of Tregs to CTLs, supplementation with LTE seems to exert a beneficial effect on a disrupted Th1/Th2 balance in elite athletes, as shown by the decrease in IL-10 concentration.

Abstract

Greater body mass index (BMI) has been associated with increased risk of psoriasis in case-control and cross-sectional studies, however, the evidence from prospective studies has been limited. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of different adiposity measures and the risk of psoriasis to provide a more robust summary of the evidence based on data from prospective studies. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies up to August 8th 2017. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects model. The summary relative risk (RR) for a 5 unit increment in BMI was 1.19 (95% CI 1.10-1.28, I2 = 83%, n = 7). The association appeared to be stronger at higher compared to lower levels of BMI, pnonlinearity < 0.0001, and the lowest risk was observed at a BMI around 20. The summary RR was 1.24 (95% CI 1.17-1.31, I2 = 0%, pheterogeneity = 0.72, n = 3) per 10 cm increase in waist circumference, 1.37 (95% CI 1.23-1.53, I2 = 0%, pheterogeneity = 0.93, n = 3) per 0.1 unit increase in waist-to-hip ratio, and 1.11 (95% CI 1.07-1.16, I2 = 47%, pheterogeneity = 0.15, n = 3) per 5 kg of weight gain. Adiposity as measured by BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and weight gain is associated with increased risk of psoriasis.

Abstract

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for humans, with pleiotropic functions related to its ability to donate electrons. It is a potent antioxidant and a cofactor for a family of biosynthetic and gene regulatory enzymes. Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Vitamin C supports epithelial barrier function against pathogens and promotes the oxidant scavenging activity of the skin, thereby potentially protecting against environmental oxidative stress. Vitamin C accumulates in phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, and can enhance chemotaxis, phagocytosis, generation of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately microbial killing. It is also needed for apoptosis and clearance of the spent neutrophils from sites of infection by macrophages, thereby decreasing necrosis/NETosis and potential tissue damage. The role of vitamin C in lymphocytes is less clear, but it has been shown to enhance differentiation and proliferation of B- and T-cells, likely due to its gene regulating effects. Vitamin C deficiency results in impaired immunity and higher susceptibility to infections. In turn, infections significantly impact on vitamin C levels due to enhanced inflammation and metabolic requirements. Furthermore, supplementation with vitamin C appears to be able to both prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections. Prophylactic prevention of infection requires dietary vitamin C intakes that provide at least adequate, if not saturating plasma levels (i.e., 100-200 mg/day), which optimize cell and tissue levels. In contrast, treatment of established infections requires significantly higher (gram) doses of the vitamin to compensate for the increased inflammatory response and metabolic demand.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION We evaluated the effectiveness of concomitant treatment with methotrexate (MTX) plus micronutrients in comparison with monotherapy with MTX only in psoriasis patients. Plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were also measured and their association with clinical severity was evaluated. METHODS Thirty psoriasis patients 20 to 50 years old with a PASI score > 10 were divided randomly into two groups. Both groups were given oral methotrexate (0.2-0.3 mg/kg/week) for 12 weeks. In addition, Group B received one tablet of micronutrient supplement daily. Disease severity was calculated using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score before and after 12 weeks. Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS We found that 13 (86.6%) patients in Group B and 8 (53.3%) patients in Group A attained a mild PASI score (≤ 10% body involvement). IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in favor of Group B (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between changes in both IL-1β and TNF-α levels and PASI score after the study (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The results obtained were positive, and therefore double-blind randomized trials with a larger sample size are highly suggested to confirm or reject these results.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2%-3% of the population. The wide range of drugs currently available for its treatment could be associated, in the long term, with organ toxicity and adverse events, thus, clinical monitoring throughout treatment is required. This investigator-initiated trial (IIT) evaluated the efficacy and the safety of a vitamin B12-containing ointment in comparison with glycerol-petrolatum-based emollient cream used twice a day to treat mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis for a period over 12 weeks followed by a wash-out observation period of 4 weeks. This study was conducted as a randomized, controlled, single-blind, intra-patient left- to right-side trial comparing the efficacy and safety of vitamin B12-containing ointment (M-treatment) with a glycerol-petrolatum-based emollient cream (C-treatment). The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was determined at baseline (T0), at time points T2 (14 days), T4 (4 weeks), T8 (8 weeks), T12 (12 weeks) and 4 weeks after the end of the wash-out period (F1). In total, 24 patients with plaque psoriasis were randomized to receive left- or right-side treatment with B12 ointment. From time point T2 to time point F1, there was a statistically significant difference in PASI reduction between M-treatment side and C-treatment side. At time point T 12, the difference between the mean reductions from baseline PASI scores by 5.92 ± 2.49 (87, 6%) in the M-treatment side versus 1.08 ± 1.02 (23, 1%) C-treatment side was statistically highly significant ( PWex < 0.001). On the contemporary panorama in the treatment of psoriasis, we conclude that vitamin B12 ointment will represent a new concrete therapy option and should be considered in the update of therapeutic algorithm for the treatment of psoriasis.